Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu brings Indiana Jones to Paris

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu is an enjoyable, family-friendly film starring Fabrice Luchini and Julia Piaton, an actress to watch, who appears in three films at this year’s AF FFF (the others being Colours of Time, and A Dash of Love). Think of it as a French, family-friendly take on Indiana Jones, swapping desert dunes for Parisian streets and below.

Christian Robinson (Fabrice Luchini) is an unorthodox archaeologist specialising in ancient Egyptian history, obsessed with the mysteries of Khufu. When he discovers a mysterious inscription during an unauthorised dig, he becomes convinced that the pharaoh’s treasure was taken from Cairo and hidden in Paris during Napoleon’s reign. Inspired by true historical threads, particularly Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign and the astonishing artefacts brought back to France, the film blends fact and fiction into a spirited adventure through time, museums, and family bonds.

Julia Piaton plays his daughter, Isis, who rarely sees or even speaks to her father and has grown up hearing his far-fetched theories about Khufu’s treasure. Her performance brings a grounded realism to the role, balancing the film’s adventurous energy. Gavril Dartevelle plays her 16-year-old son, Julian, who unexpectedly becomes caught up in his grandfather’s thrilling real-life treasure hunt. Julian joins first; Isis reluctantly follows later, unknowingly racing against ruthless art smugglers who are also after the treasure.

The film marks Barbara Schulz’s debut as a feature film director, having also co-written the script and it’s an impressive debut. The film has all the hallmarks of an adventure treasure hunting film with excellent actors. With Treasure Hunters: On the tracks of Khufu Schulz’ has pulled off quite a coup.

Some of the jokes wear thin over time—for instance, Julian repeatedly asking “Who’s that?” about each person mentioned, only to laugh because he already knows the answer. Still, as a typical teenage boy, his teasing feels believable. Christian’s single-minded obsession, leaving him oblivious to others’ struggles, borders on the familiar “absent father” trope, but it never feels entirely false. Likewise, the running joke about Dominique Vivant Denon being abbreviated to “DVD” raises puzzled looks from the characters before they realise the coincidence and laugh. It’s not an unrealistic exchange, though the gag does feel somewhat overused.

Fabrice Luchini is at home in the role of the unorthodox archaeologist. He’s played similar obsessive, truth-chasing characters before — most notably as the skeptical literary critic hunting for an author’s identity in The Mystery of Henri Pick (AF FFF 2020), and as a teacher fixated on his student’s mysterious stories in In the House (released in 2012). In each, Luchini brings the same sharp wit, intellectual intensity, and endearing single-mindedness to characters who can’t let go of a mystery.

A small detail that stands out: not once do we see the archaeologists wearing gloves or using the delicate brushes we might expect, which slightly breaks the illusion of realism.

Still, despite these details, Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu is a fun, light-hearted adventure. The hunt takes the trio through iconic Parisian locations from the Louvre’s archives to the shadowed chambers of the Château de Malmaison, and beyond, offering a touch of French history while whisking audiences away on a charming treasure hunt across, and beneath, Paris. A film for all the family, for history buffs, fans of Napoleonic and Egyptian history, and more.

3 CROISSANTS

Matilda Marseillaise watched a screener of this film.

Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu is showing at the Alliance Française French Film Festival which runs nationally until 26 April. To view the full program or to secure tickets, visit affrenchfilmfestival.org

KEY INFO FOR ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2026 (AF FFF 2026)

WHAT: Alliance Française French Film Festival 2026 (AF FFF 2026)

WHERE & WHEN:

Adelaide, SA: 18 March – 22 April

Venues: Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas

Ballarat, VIC: 5 Mar – 8 Apr

Venue: Palace Regent Cinema Ballarat

Ballina, NSW: 7 Mar – 2 Apr

Venue: Ballina Fair Cinemas

Bendigo, VIC: 17 Apr – 19 Apr

Venue: Star Cinema

Brisbane, QLD: 5 March – 8 April

Venues: Palace Cinema James Street, Palace Cinema Barracks

Bunbury, WA: 25 Mar – 29 Mar

Venue: Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre

Byron Bay, NSW: 6 Mar – 2 Apr

Venue: Palace Byron Bay

Canberra, ACT: 5 March – 8 April

Venue: Palace Electric Cinemas

Darwin, NT: 23 Apr- 26 Apr

Venue: The Deckchair Cinema

Dubbo, NSW: 16 Apr- 19 Apr

Venue: Reading Cinemas Dubbo

Geelong, VIC: 16 Apr – 28 Apr

Venue: The Pivotonian Cinema

Gold Coast, QLD: 19 Mar – 8 Apr

Venue: Dendy Cinemas Southport

Hobart, TAS: 9 Apr- 19 Apr

Venue: State Cinema

Katoomba, NSW: 19 Mar – 29 Mar

Venue: United Cinemas The Edge

Melbourne, VIC: 4 March – 8 April

Venues: Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Church St

Perth, WA: 12 March – 15 April

Venues: Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville, Windsor Cinema

Rhodes, NSW: 9 Apr – 19 Apr

Venue: Reading Cinemas Rhodes

Rouse Hill, NSW: 3 Apr – 12 Apr

Venue: Reading Cinemas Rouse Hill

Sydney, NSW: 3 March – 8 April

Venues: Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne,

Roseville Cinemas, Warriewood

Victor Harbour, SA: 25 Mar – 1 Apr

Venue: Victa Cinema

Warrawong, NSW: 3 Apr – 14 Apr