Thu 28 May - Wed 3 June
Dunedin (03 474 2200)
11 Moray Place, Dunedin, ,
FFFA26 Just an Illusion (M) 119 mins
Fri 6:00PM
Sun 3:00PM
FFFA26 The Son Of (M) 106 mins
Sun 12:45PM
FFFA26 Colours of Time (M) 126 mins
Mon 5:15PM
FFFA26 Case 137 (M) 116 mins
Fri 12:45PM
Mon 7:45PM
FFFA26 An Evening with Victor Hugo (M) 90 mins
Thu 7:45PM
Sun 10:45AM
FFFA26 Maigret and the Dead Lover (PG) 79 mins
Sat 1:15PM
FFFA26 The Richest Woman in the World (M) 122 mins
Sat 8:00PM
Mon 2:45PM
FFFA26 The Stranger (M) 123 mins
Sun 5:30PM
Tue 5:15PM
FFFA26 What is Love? (M) 108 mins
Thu 5:30PM
FFFA26 The Money Maker (M) 129 mins
Fri 3:15PM
Mon 12:10PM
FFFA26 Couture (M) 103 mins
Fri 8:30PM
Tue 12:30PM
FFFA26 Santiago the Camino Therapy (M) 114 mins
Sat 3:15PM
Tue 2:45PM
FFFA26 Jean Valjean (M) 99 mins
Sat 5:45PM
Met Opera 2025-26: I Puritani (M) 227 mins
Sun 10:30AM
Mon 2:00PM
FFFA26 Cycle of Time (M) 103 mins
Fri 10:30AM
Sun 8:00PM
FFFA26 The Musicians (PG) 102 mins
Sat Wed 11:00AM
FFFA26 A Dash of Love (M) 84 mins
Thu 1:30PM
Tue 10:30AM
FFFA26 Once Upon My Mother (G) 103 mins
Wed 5:30PM
FFFA26 A Nun in the City (PG) 86 mins
Thu 3:30PM
Wed 1:15PM
FFFA26 Redress (M) 106 mins
Mon 10:00AM
FFFA26 The Party's Over! (M) 95 mins
Wed 7:45PM
FFFA26 Leave One Day (M) 97 mins
Thu 11:15AM
Wed 3:15PM
FFFA26 Guru (R13) 124 mins
Tue 7:45PM
Power Ballad (M) 98 mins No Free Tickets
Sat 6:30PM
Backrooms (M) 110 mins No Free Tickets
Thu 8:00PM
Session Times subject to change without notice
FFFA26 Just an Illusion (M)
From Eric Toledano and Oliver Nakache, the award-winning directors of The Intouchables and A Difficult Year comes Just an Illusion, a heartwarming and brilliant comedy set in the suburbs of Paris in 1985. The film follows Vincent (an incredible debut performance from Simon Boublil), a boy standing on the precipice of his 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah - a milestone that feels more like an identity crisis than a celebration. Vincent's mother Sandrine (Camille Cottin, Three Friends) tries to hold the family together with her job as a secretary, while his father Yves (Louis Garrel, also starring in Couture) grapples with unemployment and a wounded ego. Caught between his parents' frequent arguments and a distant older brother, Arnaud (Alexis Rosenstiehl), Vincent must find his own rhythm in a family that is out of sync. Simon Boublil is being hailed as a major discovery for his performance as Vincent, carrying this nostalgia soaked tale with a winning combination of vulnerability and dry humour. Meanwhile, French cinema stalwarts Cottin and Garrel deliver explosive but grounded chemistry. Directors Toledano and Nakache blend the infectious energy of a classic 80s soundtrack with their signature brand of heartfelt humour, for their most personal film to date. Book in quick to avoid disappointment!
FFFA26 The Son Of (M)
One week after a chaotic presidential election, France urgently needs a new Prime Minister. A hapless but ambitious young parliamentary assistant (Jean Chevalier) has a plan: convince his retired and highly erratic politician father (François Cluzet, The Intouchables) to return from exile and seize the top job. What follows is a breakneck political comedy that transforms into a razor-sharp portrait of power, ambition, and the flexibility of principle. With The Son Of, former political journalist Carlos Abascal Peiró makes an audacious debut, dynamically navigating the treacherous corridors of the French Republic, his camera stalking the backrooms where ideology evaporates and egos dominate, capturing politicians, fixers and media operators engaged in verbal warfare with astonishing ferocity. Filmed before France's current political turmoil, the narrative hums with uncanny and prophetic resonance. Think Veep with a distinctly Gallic accent; anyone appreciative of Armando Iannucci's savage political dissections and Succession will find much to savour here. Newcomer Chevalier is perfectly cast as the slippery modern opportunist, supported by an hilarious, never-better Cluzet's reluctant patriarch, Karin Viard's irresistible party operative and Alex Lutz (The Stolen Painting) rounding out a stellar ensemble. Sharp, unsparing, and mischievously satisfying, The Son Of is a winning satire.
FFFA26 Colours of Time (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - Director Cedric Klapisch has crafted a genuine crowd pleasing story that blends the excitement, wonder and art of Belle Epoque France with present day themes around identity, legacy and connection. In 1895, young Adele (Suzanne Lindon) leaves Normandy for Paris, a city alive and buzzing with invention, photography and the rise of Impressionism. In the present day, her descendants inherit an unexpected legacy : a country side house in Normandy, abandoned for decades and suspended in time. Four of Adele's descendants arrive to survey the Estate, and together end up piecing together the story of Adele's unexpected life. Colours of Time is a charming and fascinating family saga, and is sure to be a hit at this year's Festival. Book your opening night tickets now!
FFFA26 Case 137 (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Competition) - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Actress - Léa Drucker - Léa Drucker took home the Best Actress César award for her performance in this gripping thriller from Dominik Moll (Only the Animals), selected for official competition at Cannes International Film Festival 2025. Drucker plays Stéphanie, an Internal Affairs police officer who is assigned the case of a young man severely wounded during a tense and chaotic demonstration in Paris. When she discovers that the victim hails from her hometown of Saint-Dizier, the case suddenly becomes far more personal. While nothing initially points to police misconduct, Stéphanie soon finds herself isolated in a system hellbent on protecting its own. With officers refusing to talk, Sophie turns to housekeeper and reluctant witness Alicia Mady (Guslagie Malanda, Saint Omer), whose testimony holds the key to the truth - but puts them both in danger. This compelling crime drama highlights themes of loyalty and justice that resonate long after the final scene, anchored strongly by Lea Drucker's commanding role.
FFFA26 An Evening with Victor Hugo (M)
Director Pascal Bonitzer (Maigret and the Dead Lover) brings this charming tale from the late Sophie Fillières brilliantly to life. French acting legend Fabrice Luchini plays popular performer Robert Zucchini, who has built his career on a stage act that lauds the works of the famous writer Victor Hugo. Robert's bold reverence of Hugo's ‘male genius' doesn't always play well with more enlightened modern audiences, and he finds himself not only at odds with a feminist theatre troupe, but with his adult daughter Lisbeth (Marie Narbonne, The Count of Monte Cristo), who has recently reappeared in his life. Robert wrestles with how art meets with politics - but more importantly, with his real-life relationships. Where he once took refuge in texts of the past, Lisbeth demands his presence in the moment. Little by little, with his daughter's help, Robert begins to reconnect with his past, open up to others and relearn the practice of his craft. Pascal Bonitzer has crafted a slick, emotional, funny account of modern problems playing out on and off stage. Centred by a brilliant performance from the always-exceptional Fabrice Luchini, An Evening with Victor Hugo is a must-see at the 2026 Festival.
FFFA26 Maigret and the Dead Lover (PG)
Following the break-out success of 2025 hit The Stolen Painting, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer brings his unique perspective and panache to Simenon's cherished Parisian detective - a French counterpart to Agatha Christie's Poirot - as he attempts to solve the murder of a diplomat with a long-held secret. Inspector Maigret (four-time César nominee Denis Podalydès, in a tremendous performance) is urgently summoned to the Quai d'Orsay: a former ambassador has been found shot dead by his long-serving housekeeper (Anne Alvaro, The Taste of Others). But rather than contact the police, she has followed diplomatic protocols by first informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Forewarned that he will find a series of salacious letters - and cautioned to be discrete - Maigret heads to the victim's opulent apartment. He finds no forensic evidence at the crime scene, but certainly, the letters prove startling - secret, decades-spanning correspondence between the ambassador and the Princess of Vuynes, whose own husband, by strange coincidence, has also just died… Bonitzer, renowned for an intuitive and empathetic focus, finds a perfect match with a protagonist who relies on quiet observation. He delivers an absorbing, wholly compelling mystery that also serves as a thoughtful examination of modern life's key concerns: hierarchy, aging, and the very different worlds that money creates. Best of all, the twist ending is… a killer.
FFFA26 The Richest Woman in the World (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Actor - Laurent Lafitte - Few modern scandals have captivated France as the astonishing events surrounding Liliane Bettencourt, the billionaire heiress to the L'Oreal fortune and doyenne of Parisian society. Now writer/director Thierry Klifa has freely adapted the incredible story into a captivating dark comedy, featuring a jaw-dropping, tailor-made role for one of France's most iconic stars. Marianne Farrère (Isabelle Huppert), the head of the Windler Group, is the richest woman in the world. Pierre-Alain Fantin (Laurent Lafitte, who won a César award for his performance) is a vivacious dandy, writer and photographer. After meeting on a photo shoot, the two quickly become inseparable. Their friendship surprises, amuses, intrigues, and eventually unsettles the billionaire's entourage and family. Most of all, Marianne's daughter (Marina Foïs) struggles with her mother's sudden complicity with this younger man, but her husband (André Marcon) and loyal butler (Raphaël Personnaz) share her concerns. Surreptitious queries soon transition into a private investigation, resulting in extraordinary ramifications for all involved… With several twists too good to spoil, The Richest Woman in the World makes the most of its fabulous ensemble cast, but Huppert and Lafitte simply eat up the screen. This wildly entertaining film became an enormous box-office hit in France for good reason.
FFFA26 The Stranger (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Venice International Film Festival - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Supporting Actor - Pierre Lottin - The superb new drama from multi award-winning writer/director François Ozon (Swimming Pool, 8 Women, Under the Sand), The Stranger is a gripping adaptation of Albert Camus' landmark novella about a detached young expatriate on trial for murder in French-colonised Algeria. Summer, 1938. Meursault (Benjamin Voisin, Lost Illusions), a quiet and unassuming clerk in his early thirties, attends his mother's funeral. The next day he begins a casual affair with Marie (Rebecca Marder), a colleague randomly encountered at the local baths, and quickly slips back into routine. However, daily life is soon disrupted by his volatile neighbour (an excellent Pierre Lottin, who won a César award for his performance), who draws Meursault into a dispute involving an ex-lover. And then, one blisteringly hot afternoon, an inexplicable event occurs on a beach, one that will see Meursault's very moral standing brought to question… Visually resplendent with sensuous black-and-white imagery, Ozon's elegant and masterfully realized film shines a contemporary lens on Camus' classic tale of dissociation and morality, capturing the beauty and heat of a charged society on the boil. Both impactful and mysterious, The Stranger is one of the major highlights of this year's Festival and should not be missed.
FFFA26 What is Love? (M)
What is Love? is an uplifting and comedic examination of relationships and new beginnings, brought to life by an all-star cast. Marguerite (Festival favourite Laure Calamy, How to Make a Killing) has long since moved on from her ex-husband Fred (Vincent Macaigne, also starring in Colours of Time), having established a new life with a different partner and a teenage daughter. Fred has also put the past behind him, intending to marry Chloé (Mélanie Thierry, Suddenly), the woman with whom he now shares his life. When Fred asks for Marguerite's help in obtaining an annulment of their marriage from the Catholic Church, she is only too happy to oblige. However, the process turns out to be far more than a simple paperwork exercise, and the pair find out they must prove their union was doomed from the beginning. What begins as an administrative task soon becomes a deeply personal odyssey through their shared past. As Marguerite and Fred navigate old memories and rediscover genuine affection - as well as the tensions that broke them - long-buried feelings begin to surface. This charming and perceptive family comedy examines the complicated aftermath of breakups, featuring stellar performances from all involved.
FFFA26 The Money Maker (M)
Based on an incredible true story, The Money Maker follows Jan Bojarski (Reda Kateb, The Extraordinary), a young Polish engineer taking refuge in France during World War II. Desperate to survive, he turns his talents to forging identity documents during the German occupation. Once the war ends, Jan still finds himself struggling to make ends meet. Stuck in underpaid jobs and denied citizenship, he is unable to patent his many inventions. Jan's engineering expertise seems to be wasted, until a gangster recognises his skills and presents a risky opportunity - to produce counterfeit banknotes... So begins a thrilling and nail-biting series of events, as Jan begins to lead a double life. For over 15 years he runs a counterfeiting operation from his garden shed - unbeknownst to his family. Jan's fakes are so precise he earns the moniker "the Cézanne of counterfeit money." - but this also draws attention. Jan soon finds himself in the crosshairs of Inspector Mattéi (Bastien Bouillon, also starring in Leave One Day), one of France's most determined detectives. Director Jean-Paul Salomé (The Godmother, The Sitting Duck) brings this fascinating and gripping tale to life, with an unforgettable performance from Reda Kateb as the man who shook the Bank of France. The film was a certified hit in France, with over 1.1 million admissions Make time for The Money Maker at this year's Festival!
FFFA26 Couture (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival - - OFFICIAL SELECTION: San Sebastian Film Festival - Angelina Jolie turns in a career-best performance in this immaculate drama set in the high stakes fashion world. Taking place during the frenzy of Paris Fashion week, Jolie plays American filmmaker Maxine Walker, commissioned to direct a film for a prestigious label. After receiving sudden, life-changing news, Maxine crosses paths with two other women: Ada (Anyier Anei), a young South Sudanese model who has escaped her predetermined destiny to make a name for herself, and makeup artist Angéle (Ella Rumpf, Marguerite's Theorem) who quietly dreams of a different life. While their backgrounds couldn't be more different, the three women form a strong bond. Amid the glamorous scenes of haute couture, each must make choices small and significant, and confront major career decisions. Anchored by Jolie's memorable portrayal, the intertwining journeys of these three women are supported by excellent turns from Louis Garrel (The Three Musketeers) and Vincent Lindon (Another World).
FFFA26 Santiago the Camino Therapy (M)
Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Camino de Santiago in this life-affirming drama centred on an unforgettable pairing of characters. Adam (a powerful performance from up-and-comer Julien Le Berre) is a teenager who's lost and heading in the wrong direction. After a run-in with the law, a judge hands over a surprising sentence: he must walk the 800 kilometre Camino de Santiago to think about his future. Assigned to walk the path with Adam is Fred (an excellent-as-always Alexandra Lamy, Miss Violet), a tough and outspoken woman coming to terms with her own chequered history. The two begin a journey that could change their lives. The pair make an unlikely team; Fred is looking to heal from her past, while Adam is struggling to channel his anger and feelings of abandonment. With every mile travelled, they inevitably endure exhaustion, clashes and arguments. But among the points of tension are moments of peace. As the miles rack up, Fred and Adam begin to form a strong bond. Walking The Way, they each discover an inner strengh they didn't know they had. Will it be enough to accomplish the goals they set out to achieve? Santiago: The Camino Therapy is an uplifting and inspirational story with gorgeous vistas that deserve to be seen on the big screen.
FFFA26 Jean Valjean (M)
Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Misérables is one of the most beloved novels of the 19th century, and now the superb Grégory Gadebois has re-teamed with his Delicious writer/director Éric Besnard for this authentic and emotionally affecting retelling that charts the origin story of the tale's legendary protagonist. 1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, rumour spreads that a dangerous man has entered the area; indeed, the hulking Valjean (Gadebois) has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is repeatedly turned away. Desperate for a bed, he knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply with his ailing sister (Isabelle Carré) and dedicated - but suspicious - servant (Alexandra Lamy). Without judgement, Bienvenu invites him in. And on this crucial night, Jean will face a choice that will define his future… With this superbly filmed exploration of justice, empathy and moral redemption, Besnard's reflective and intimate drama - and Gadebois' towering performance - bring new depth to Hugo's hero, a spurned man transformed by kindness and compassion. Admirers of the source text and rich historical drama will not be disappointed by Jean Valjean.
Met Opera 2025-26: I Puritani (M)
For gorgeous melody, spellbinding coloratura, and virtuoso vocal fireworks, I Puritani has few equals. The first new Met production of Bellini's final masterpiece in nearly 50 years —a striking staging by Charles Edwards, who makes his company directorial debut after many successes as a set designer—arrives in cinemas worldwide.The Met has assembled a world-beating quartet of stars, conducted by Marco Armiliato, for the demanding principal roles. Soprano Lisette Oropesa and tenor Lawrence Brownlee are Elvira and Arturo, brought together by love and torn apart by the political rifts of the English Civil War, with baritone Artur Ruciński as Riccardo, betrothed to Elvira against her will, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as Elvira's sympathetic uncle, Giorgio.
FFFA26 Cycle of Time (M)
Elsa Zylberstein (Simone: Woman of the Century) and Didier Bourdon (The Scammers) star in this inventive time travel comedy that sharply explores societal roles. It's 1958 in quiet suburbia. Hélène (Zylberstein) and Michel (Bourdon) live a simple but happy life with their two children. Michel works in a bank, while Hélène focuses her efforts on their home and family life. Through an unexpected and unlikely series of events, the couple find themselves catapulted into the 21st century. The year is 2025, and everything they know has changed. Hélène and Michel grapple with new technology, social rituals, and the frantic pace of modern life. Hélène now finds herself a successful bank manager and the sole breadwinner, while Michel has become the stay-at-home-husband. As they navigate this unfamiliar world, the pair must confront new ways of thinking, loving and living. Hélène and Michel are left wondering not how they will survive in their new reality, but whether they even want to... Propelled by hilarious performances from Zylberstein and Bourdon, Cycle of Time is a delightfully subversive comedy that will have you rediscovering the present through the eyes of two characters from a bygone era.
FFFA26 The Musicians (PG)
The enchanting new comedy of manners from acclaimed writer/director Grégory Magne (whose debut Perfumes was a success in the 2021 Festival), The Musicians stars Valérie Donzelli as a wealthy heiress whose plan to stage a landmark concert is derailed by the clashing egos of the virtuosos recruited for the performance. Astrid Thompson (Donzelli) is determined to honour her late industrialist father's final wish: unite four priceless Stradivarius-stringed instruments for the premiere recital of a new composition by his favourite artist, to be live-streamed for music lovers globally. With just six days to rehearse, a quartet is assembled, but the dream quickly unravels: the musicians are at odds, blinded by their differences and prejudices, and seemingly incapable of working together. With the deadline fast approaching, Astrid tries to coax the reclusive composer of the score, Charlie Beaumont (Frédéric Pierrot), out from creative seclusion in the desperate hope of salvaging the event… As the film crescendos to a tender, exhilarating finale where harmony is found not only in music but human connection, The Musicians celebrates both the chaos and beauty of collaboration. Set amidst the villas, vineyards and chapels of the stunning Champagne region, with an exquisite original score by Grégoire Hetzel, this is sparkling entertainment for the heart (and ears).
FFFA26 A Dash of Love (M)
This exciting debut feature from Maël Piriou follows a delightful cast of characters on a road trip that will change their lives. Julia Piaton (also starring in Colours of Time) plays Mélanie, a gifted lawyer suffering from a terminal illness. Deciding it's time to live life on her own terms, she convinces her old school friend Benjamin (Quentin Dolmaire, also starring in The Money Maker) to accompany her on a road trip to Spain. Joining them as their burly chauffer is Lucas (Grégory Gadebois, also starring in Jean Valjean), one of Mélanie's clients who has recently been released from prison. In exchange for her legal services, Mélanie ropes him into taking the wheel. The unlikely trio embark on an unforgettable journey across stunning vistas that will lead them to understand more about themselves, and each other. Mélanie is driven by urgency, while Benjamin lingers over every detour, stretching out the miles in an attempt to somehow slow down the clock. What began as an impulsive getaway becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, intimacy, and the true meaning of independence. A Dash of Love is a tender and deeply human reminder for us to embrace joy while we can. This is a trip you will most certainly want to take!
FFFA26 Once Upon My Mother (G)
Based on the bestselling autobiography by Roland Perez, this exuberant and heartrending film pays tribute to a love like no other - a mother's love for her child. In 1963, Roland is born to Esther, her sixth child in their close-knit Jewish immigrant family living in the Parisian suburbs. When Esther learns that Roland has been born with a club foot, she vows to ensure her son lives not just a normal life, but a fabulous one. She enlists the help of a determined specialist and the pop songs of Sylvie Vartan (who makes a cameo in the film) to help Roland defy all expectations and learn to walk. This joyful crowd-pleaser is vibrantly shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist) and features a powerhouse performance from Leïla Bekhti (Paris, je t'aime) as the fiercely devoted Esther. Once Upon My Mother absolutely smashed the French box office with over 1.5 million admissions, so is sure to be popular at this year's Festival. Book your tickets now to avoid missing out!
FFFA26 A Nun in the City (PG)
After twenty years of devotion to her convent, Sister Lucie's (Marilou Berry) quiet life is upended when she is separated from her sisterhood during a group outing. While trying to find her way home, she spots a familiar face on a television screen: her teenage sweetheart, now accused of a high-profile murder. Convinced of his innocence, she makes the impulsive decision to try to help him. Lucie's disappearance has caused panic back at the convent, and the formidable Mother Superior Henriette (Isabelle Nanty, Amélie) sends two nuns to track her down and bring her back. A Nun in the City is a heartwarming, comedic story where faith, freedom and past love collide with surprising results.
FFFA26 Redress (M)
Auteur Régis Wargnier (director of the Oscar-winning Indochine) returns to filmmaking for the first time in over a decade with the masterfully crafted globe-trotting drama Redress. Renowned chef Paskal Jankovski (Clovis Cornillac, A Little Something Extra) is moments away from announcing his third Michelin star when he suddenly vanishes. Disappearing alongside him is Antoine (Julien de Saint-Jean, Lie with Me), his trusted sous-chef. Paskal's daughter Clara (Julia de Nunez) suddenly finds herself the inheritor of the family restaurant at just 20 years old. Once a paragon of Gallic gastronomic excellence, the establishment now faces an uncertain future. The void left by Paskal's absence feels inescapable, while the mystery of his and Antoine's disappearance remains unsolved. The enigma deepens when years later, traces of Paskal's cooking style crop up at a restaurant in Taiwan. Clara must embark on a journey to find the truth about her father's fate. A story that covers continents, cuisines and cultures, Redress is brought to life by strong performances and immaculate cinematography. You'll be drawn in by the intriguing mystery, lush environments and variety of sumptuous dishes - just don't see it on an empty stomach!
FFFA26 The Party's Over! (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Director's Fortnight) - This entertaining black comedy follows Mehdi (Sami Outalbali, Lucky Winners), a recent law graduate from a modest background spending the summer at his girlfriend's luxurious family villa. He soon finds himself caught in an escalating class conflict between the entitled Trousselard family and their mistreated caretakers. Hoping to secure an internship at his girlfriend's father's prestigious law firm, Mehdi attempts to mediate between the two sides, only to be trapped in a spiralling conflict over money, power and pride. The Party's Over! is a biting satirical portrait of class privilege with a sensational comic cast including Laure Calamy and recent César award-winner Laurent Lafitte.
FFFA26 Leave One Day (M)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Opening Film) - Making waves in 2025 as the first-ever debut feature selected to open the Cannes Film Festival, Amélie Bonnin's joyously entertaining musical romance stars break-out singer/songwriter Juliette Armanet as a talented Parisian chef forced to reconnect with her small-town upbringing during an unexpected trip home. Cécile (Armanet) - a fan-favourite Top Chef winner - is about to finally realise her dream and open her own restaurant when her father, the cook at a small rural truck stop, falls unwell. Cécile must deal with a return to her roots that is more complicated than she imagined; when she runs into her teenage first love (César Award-winner Bastien Bouillon), old memories and sensations resurface... and then her fiancé, who senses something's wrong, shows up. Evocatively depicting regional France and the complications of family life with tenderness and wit, Leave One Day interweaves music naturally into the story, blending several classics with more recent hits by artists such as Stromae and Céline Dion. Armanet, herself one of France's most popular contemporary artists, performed John Lennon's "Imagine" during the Paris Olympic Games' opening ceremony and proves to be a shining discovery, in this warm-hearted and completely endearing gem.
FFFA26 Guru (R13)
In this tense psychological thriller, Pierre Niney (The Count of Monte Cristo) delivers a chilling performance as a popular life coach with a dedicated following. Mathieu Vasseur (Niney) delivers electrifying seminars, promising empowerment and transformation to his loyal fanbase. But behind his carefully curated image lies a more sinister reality. As Vasseur's reach grows, the bonds he forms with his followers tighten into chains of control. Self-growth is traded for emotional reliance, and subtle influence becomes total psychological domination. What began as a quest for enlightenment for all involved becomes a predatory hierarchy. As scrutiny from skeptics and the law pushes Vasseur's organisation towards obsession and collapse, he faces the question: how far can he go before his promise of freedom becomes a prison? Niney's outstanding turn is bolstered by the excellent supporting cast of Marion Barbeau, Anthony Bajon (Beating Hearts), Christophe Montenez (also starring in 13 Days, 13 Nights) and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter). Guru is a razor-sharp examination of power dynamics that masterfully explores the thin line between mentorship and manipulation. Already a box office hit in France with over $16 million USD at the box office, make sure you don't miss it!
Power Ballad (M)
Follows a wedding singer and a flagging pop star who come together to write a song to comedic consequences.
Backrooms (M)
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.
Session Times subject to change without notice