The 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival, presented by Palace, will land in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Ballarat, Byron Bay and Ballina this November with a spectacular line up of exquisite dramas, fascinating documentaries, much-loved retrospectives, comedies and more at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas.

The festival Centrepiece is the highly anticipated drama ANEMONE starring Daniel Day- Lewis, Sean Bean and Samantha Morton, in the directorial debut from Ronan Day-Lewis. In a script co-written by Daniel Day-Lewis and son Ronan, the film explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons. The explosive drama is Day- Lewis’ first film in eight years in which he portrays a former British soldier who lives in the remote woods who must confront his past.

In icy suspense thriller THE DEAD OF WINTER, Emma Thompson plays Barb, a woman travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota. Barb interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl, and hours from the nearest town and with no phone service, she realises that she is the young girl’s only hope.

MOSS & FREUD is the biopic about the life of era-defining supermodel Kate Moss and her relationship with the acclaimed British artist Lucian Freud, starring Ellie Bamber and Derek Jacobi as Freud. When Freud offered to paint Moss nude during the nine months of her pregnancy in 2002, it prompted her to embark on an intense journey of self-discovery.

At the age of eighty-five, the inimitable John Cleese sets off on what might be his final European tour in JOHN CLEESE PACKS IT IN. Covering five countries, sixteen cities, twenty-three shows, and retaining just two original body parts, John Cleese Packs It In is a wry, behind-the-scenes portrait of a comedy legend on the road, battling various ailments, chaotic travel, and his own stubborn refusal to stop.

Scenic drama THE NORTH is an adventurous tale of two old friends who embark on a 600- kilometre journey through the Scottish Highlands. They seek to reconnect not only with nature but with each other and the parts of themselves they lost.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday 5 November in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth, Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane, concluding on Sunday 7 December in all cities.

The full programme to be announced and tickets on sale in mid-October.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Church St
Ballarat: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Sydney: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

Opening this year’s festival is the Australian Premiere of BLITZ, Steve McQueen’s visually stunning period drama depicting pivotal moments of World War II in London and starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Weller and brilliant newcomer Elliot Heffernan. Closing the festival is another exciting exclusive, the premiere of the highly anticipated WE LIVE IN TIME. With beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this heart rendering romance delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world.

The 2024 Festival Centrepiece is Mike Leigh’s latest film HARD TRUTHS, which reunites him with the brilliant Marianne Jean-Baptiste in a darkly humorous and insightful exploration of family dynamics. The film examines a hypersensitive woman’s impact on her family, blending compassion with Leigh’s signature attention to detail.

Fresh from its UK release comes THE OUTRUN with Saoirse Ronan once again in the lead role. After a turbulent life in London, Rona returns to the untamed beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands, her childhood home, seeking to reconcile with her troubled past and find healing.

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche star in THE RETURN, an adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. Exuding the classical essence of the Greek epic with a distinctly British spin, The Return offers a meticulously measured classical work with an all-star cast. The film premieres in the festival ahead of the UK release.

British/French co-production WIDOW CLICQUOT tells a rousing true story offering an effervescent portrait of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” otherwise known as Veuve Clicquot.

Another Australian Premiere is Aylin Tezel’s directorial debut FALLING INTO PLACE. This tender drama follows Kira (played by Tezel) and Ian, each fleeing their own personal struggles, who cross paths during a winter weekend on the Isle of Skye. Their connection is profound but when they return to London, they must confront their past. We are delighted to announce that Tezel will be joining audiences in person in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for a series of Q&A events.

Plunging audiences into Tudor times is the historical drama FIREBRAND. Set during the final months of King Henry VIII’s reign, his sixth wife, Katherine Parr, faces the perilous challenges of the Tudor court. Alicia Vikander and Jude Law lead a gripping historical drama about power and survival.

In special screenings the adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name, CONCLAVE, stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence who is entrusted with the secretive task of selecting a new Pope, but in the Vatican’s sacred halls, uncovers secrets that could destabilize the Roman Catholic Church.

Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter lead a commanding ensemble cast in FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, Polly Steele’s tender story follows Nicholas and Isabel who are destined for each other, but their path to true love is anything but straightforward.

Other romantic dramas include THE SALT PATH starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in career best performances as a couple who embark on a 630-mile coastal walk after losing their home and facing a terminal diagnosis. And THIS TIME NEXT YEAR about Minnie and Quinn who are born just one minute apart on the same day, yet their lives take completely different paths. Years later, a chance encounter offers the perfect moment to take a chance on love.

Andrea Arnold’s latest film BIRD follows 12-year-old Bailey, who seeks solace in nature as her distracted father remarries. Through a mysterious encounter, Bailey gains strength to confront her mother’s abusive partner, exploring themes of identity and resilience. The film stars Barry Keoghan.

In a special music themed sidebar ‘Brit Rock to Brit Pop’, renowned documentarian Nick Broomfield uncovers the true story of Brian Jones, the creative force and heartbreaker behind what would become the world’s greatest rock band The Rolling Stones in THE STONES AND BRIAN JONES; Iconic rock band Led Zeppelin’s electrifying 1973 Madison

Square Garden performances are captured in THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME, interwoven with surreal fantasy sequences reflecting the band members’ personas. Fast forward to the Brit Pop era with BLUR: LIVE AT WEMBLEY STADIUM, an epic two-hour concert film immortalising Blur’s historic 2023 show at Wembley Stadium which saw the band perform their iconic and much-loved songs for 150,000 adoring fans plus doco BLUR: TO THE END, depicting the most recent chapter in the band’s story, captured during the period in which they made a surprise – and emotional – return with their first record in 8 years, the critically acclaimed #1 album The Ballad of Darren.

Unconventional rom-com AND MRS tells the tale of a hesitant bride-to-be who loses her fiancé unexpectedly. She is determined to proceed with the wedding, pledging to defy public opinion, legal barriers, and the objections of her loved ones; offbeat comedy, THE RADLEYS, depicts the family of the same name who appear to be an ordinary family, but are hiding a dark secret: they’re vampires. And in CHUCK CHUCK BABY, Helen’s dull life takes an unexpected romantic twist when her charismatic childhood friend Joanne returns.

Moving, funny, and charming, this musical rom-com set in a Welsh chicken processing plant is delightfully unexpected.

Guaranteed to deliver a chuckle is THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE. Festival favourite Colm Meaney and US comedian Paul Reiser star as estranged cousins who, despite never having met, must resolve a generation’s worth of family disputes – before they start another one!

Time-bending dark comedy TIMESTALKER follows a woman’s obsession with the same bad boy spanning six centuries offering a razor-sharp commentary on obsession and desire; whilst in TUESDAY, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a mother and daughter are forced to face Death when it appears in an unexpected form.

POISON is an intimate exploration of grief and healing, featuring powerful performances by Tim Roth and Trine Dyrholm. Focusing on Lucas and Edith, a once-married couple estranged for ten years who reunite under unexpected circumstances.

In EDGE OF SUMMER, two 11-year-olds, drawn together during a summer holiday, embark on an adventure to uncover the mystery of who or what is calling to them from the depths of an abandoned tin mine, inspired by an old folk tale; GREY MATTER is a drama based on true events following troubled teen Chloe Isles as she becomes her grandmother Peg’s carer and in LIES WE TELL, an orphaned heiress battles her sinister uncle’s schemes to claim her inheritance. As danger mounts, she defies Gothic conventions, seizing control of her fate in a feminist reimagining of Uncle Silas.

Marking its 25th anniversary and presented in a new 4K restoration is Lynne Ramsay’s stunning and confident debut feature RATCATCHER, a haunting portrayal of a troubled childhood.

In tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith, James Ivory’s classic melodrama A ROOM WITH A VIEW will be screened in the festival. The film follows Lucy, a young Englishwoman on a tour of Florence (played by Helena Bonham Carter) who is chaperoned by her cousin (played by Smith), as a series of events challenge her societal expectations.

A newly released documentary MERCHANT IVORY focuses on the 44-film collaboration of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory who delivered decades of acclaimed dramas to audiences. Now, at 95, Ivory and key collaborators reflect on the production company’s lasting impact on arthouse cinema.

THE SHAMROCK SPITFIRE follows Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, an Irishman who rises from eager RAF recruit to legendary fighter ace and the youngest Wing Commander during WWII, leading his squadron to historic fame.

A retrospective entitled ‘History Restored’ features a selection of British classics that are all historic dramas. Presented in a new 4K restoration, iconic work A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS examines Sir Thomas More’s moral stand against King Henry VIII’s divorce, and won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor; based on the novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, James Ivory’s epic melodrama HEAT AND DUST explores two parallel stories of love and cultural clash in 1920’s India; Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 rendition of HENRY V is a gritty adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, acclaimed for his direction and performance; THE LION IN WINTER starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn in a tale of King Henry II’s family power struggles and THE MUSIC LOVERS, a bold exploration of classical composer Tchaikovsky’s tumultuous life, with intense performances from Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson.

The festival opens on Wednesday 6 November in Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane and Thursday 7 November in Sydney, concluding on Sunday 8 December in all cities.

Tickets are now on sale!

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 6 November – 8 December, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Byron Bay
Sydney: 7 November – 8 December, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

It is with great delight we announce that the festival will include the recently opened Palace Regent Ballarat in Victoria in its national locations, bringing the first taste of the Palace film festival experience to the region.

The Festival is also pleased to welcome aboard naming partner Russell Hobbs, the iconically British appliance brand, established in Britain in 1952.

Dean Hammerton, Brand & Communications Manager, Asia Pacific says “We are very honoured to lead the partnership with Palace Cinemas at this year’s Russell Hobbs British Film Festival. Since the day Bill Russell and Peter Hobbs founded Russell Hobbs in Surrey UK, we’ve always done things in a recognisably British way with the goal of making everyday life a little bit easier. As a proud British brand, with a dash of style and history intertwined – we are very excited to support the celebration of British cinema and culture.”

Opening this year’s festival is the Premiere of BLITZ, Steve McQueen’s visually stunning period drama depicting pivotal moments of World War II in London. The powerful and sweeping portrayal of British life during these events, which arrives direct from its London Film Festival Premiere, features stellar central performances from Saoirse Ronan and Paul Weller, in addition to exceptional newcomer Elliot Heffernen who plays 9 year old George.

Closing this year’s Festival is the exclusive Australian Premiere of the highly anticipated WE LIVE IN TIME. Featuring beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this heart rendering romance delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world.

Screening in special Festival previews one week prior to official opening, and during the festival, is WIDOW CLICQUOT. This British/French co-production based on a true story offers an effervescent portrait of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” otherwise known as Veuve Clicquot.

Aylin Tezel’s directorial debut FALLING INTO PLACE is screening in its Australian Premiere at the Festival. The tender drama follows Kira (played by Tezel) and Ian, each fleeing their own personal struggles, who cross paths during a winter weekend on the Isle of Skye. Their connection is profound but when they return to London, they must both confront their past.

The Festival is excited to present the romance FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, featuring a commanding ensemble cast including Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. Polly Steele’s beautiful story follows Nicholas and Isabel who are destined for each other, As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday 6 November in Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane and Thursday 7 November in Sydney, concluding on Sunday 8 December in all cities.

The full programme to be announced and tickets on sale in mid-October.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Byron Bay
Sydney: 7 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

The festival’s largest line up to date opens nationally from 11 June at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Luna Palace Cinemas.

Based on a popular novel and directed by multi award-winning director Lone Scherfig, THE MOVIE TELLER (La Contadora de Películas) is this year’s star-studded Opening Night selection. A moving tribute to cinema and the magical power of storytelling, the film follows a young woman’s coming-of-age in a Chilean mining town and stars Bérénice Bejo, Antonio de la Torre, Daniel Brühl and brilliant newcomer Alondra Valenzuela.

The 2024 Special Presentation brings together female led films exploring the themes of ‘Liberation, Sexuality and Empowerment’. In the comedic yet sensual drama MAMACRUZ, Kiti Mánver delivers a compelling central performance as a religiously devout woman in late middle age who rediscovers the transformative power of her own sensuality. Channelling the voices of three women over 65 into one, MEMORIES OF A BURNING BODY (Memorias de un cuerpo que arde) is a heartfelt drama exploring pleasure and desire.

The sixth feature from talented director Juana Macías, THE GIRLS AT THE STATION (Las chicas de la estación), is a powerful drama inspired by real events starring three outstanding newcomers as friends entering adulthood who face incredible obstacles. In dark comedy thriller SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN (Que nadie duerma), Malena Alterio, who was awarded a Goya for her performance, plays a woman whose life takes a definitive turn when she loses her job.

Acclaimed filmmaker Isabel Coixet’s new film, UN AMOR, is a striking drama starring Laia Costa and Hovik Keuchkerian as new neighbours in a Spanish rural village who become entangled in a web of passion. VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS (Vera y el placer de los otros), a comedic and erotic tale about growing up, follows 17-year-old Vera, as she divides her days between volleyball, school, and a secret hobby: listening to other people’s pleasure.

The Festival Centrepiece is THE TEACHER WHO PROMISED THE SEA (El Maestro que Prometió el Mar), winner of the Audience award at the 2024 Gaudí Awards. The acclaimed drama, starring Enric Auquer (star of last year’s festival hit Two Many Chefs) and Laia Costa, recounts the moving true story of Antoni Benaiges, a teacher who brought progressive teaching methods to a small village in 1930s Burgos.

Closing the festival is THE HOLY MOUNTAIN (La montaña sagrad), which recently marked its 50th Anniversary and was famously co-funded by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Alejandro Jodorowsky’s surreal and visually stunning avant-garde odyssey has been fully restored in lavish 4K presenting a mesmerising journey through a series of bizarre and symbolic experiences, exploring themes of spirituality, enlightenment, and the quest for transcendence.

Celebrating 120 years since the birth of Salvador Dalí, is a showcase of films from and about the surrealist master. Featuring fabulous archival footage, the documentary SALVADOR DALÍ: IN SEARCH OF

IMMORTALITY is an intimate and revelatory examination of the one-of-a-kind genius who managed to live a life that is a work of art unto itself.

Famous Hitchcockian psychological thriller SPELLBOUND follows a psychiatrist (Ingrid Bergman) who helps an amnesiac (Gregory Peck) uncover his true identity and features a not to be missed surreal dream sequence by Salvador Dalí.

Two short films, UN CHIEN ANDALOU & L’AGE D’OR, will be screened together as one session. A 1929 avant-garde short film by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, Un Chien Andalou is a dreamlike, surrealistic exploration of the subconscious whilst L’Age d’Or is a surrealist tale of a man and a woman who are passionately in love, but their attempts to consummate it are thwarted by their families, the Church, and bourgeois society.

This year’s New Spanish Cinema selection embraces a range of styles and subjects from A.I. to the art of winemaking and a biopic of one of Spain’s most beloved comedians. Directed by multiple Goya Award winner David Trueba, drama JOKES AND CIGARETTES (Saben aquell) stars a transformative David Verdaguer as Eugenio, the famous chain-smoking Catalan comedian of the 1960s and 70s; RIOJA: THE LAND OF A THOUSAND WINES (Rioja, la tierra de los mil vinos) explores the vibrant evolution of the Spanish wine industry through the human stories behind the vines in the famous region of Rioja; and taut political thriller set in the near future ARTIFICIAL JUSTICE (Justica Artificial), stars Verónica Echegui as a judge who must assess new Artificial Intelligence software for use in the justice system and is drawn into a high stakes conspiracy with powerful interests at play.

Spanish box office hit CHECKMATES (Menudas Piezas) starring Alexandra Jiménez is based on a powerful and inspiring true story of a group of marginalised schoolkids who set out to win the Spanish Chess Championship against all odds.

CHINAS, the superb third feature from writer-director Arantxa Echevarria (Carmen & Lola), is a delicate and fascinating drama about two sisters that explores childhood, belonging, integration and the search for identity. Featuring a cast of up-and-coming talent, THE GIRLS ARE ALRIGHT (Las chicas están bien) is an enchanting, breezy drama that follows a group of actresses and a writer who come together in a country house for a week to rehearse a play.

Winner of Best Spanish Film at the 2024 Málaga Film Festival, SATURN RETURN (Segundo premio) is a tale of music and passion with a hypnotic soundtrack. Set in the late 1990s, this story about an indie rock group is inspired by, but not based on, the story of the legendary Spanish band Los Planetas.

An adaptation of the graphic novel from Paco Roca, award-winning drama LA CASA starring David Verdaguer (also seen in Jokes and Cigarettes) and Luis Callejo reunites three siblings at their childhood home. In the suspenseful drama FREE FALLING (Caída libre), Belén Rueda stars as a controlling national rhythmic gymnastics’ coach who does not contemplate failure as an option; In the psychological thriller THE SLEEPING WOMAN (La mujer dormida), strange things start happening a nursing assistant to when she becomes attracted to her patient’s husband; and in dramedy A HOUSE ON FIRE (Casa en flames), comedy director Dani de la Orden explores the darker side of families.

The festival is delighted to announce a Spotlight on Spanish director Isabel Coixet with a selection of the acclaimed director’s work presented alongside her newest release UN AMOR. Based on the novel The Dying Animal by Philip Roth and starring Ben Kingsley and Penélope Cruz, ELEGY explores the themes of love, desire and aging as it follows a distinguished professor who becomes romantically involved with one of his students. THOSE WHO LOVE (A los que aman), a subversive period piece about love, guilt, and redemption, features a luminous leading performance from Monica Bellucci as a passionate teacher entangled in a tumultuous affair. YESTERDAY NEVER ENDS (Ayer no termina nunca) is an absorbing character study from Coixet about a couple who reunite after five years apart, with one turning their history into a novel.

The Cine Latino selection includes a quietly powerful Argentinian drama from acclaimed writer/director Paula Hernandez, A RAVAGING WIND (El viento que arrasa), that explores a young woman’s path to change her fate. From Mexico, comes UPON OPEN SKY (A cielo abierto) set in early 1990s Mexico from a screenplay by legendary Mexican scriptwriter Guillermo Arriaga and the acclaimed drama TOTEM (Tótem) which takes place over the course of a single day in a bustling Mexican household, seen through the eyes of a seven-year- old.

Set in the post #MeToo era is BAD ACTOR (Un Actor Malo), a nuanced and incisive drama focused on a case of misconduct on a film set that triggers a series of unavoidable events in the search for truth and justice.

THE BLUE STAR (La estrella azul) is inspired by the life of 1990s Spanish rock star Mauricio Aznar and his journey through picturesque Argentina to reconnect with his passion for music. And hailing from the Dominican Republic, the science fiction thriller AIRE: JUST BREATHE (Aire) is set in the year 2147 as a conservation biologist battles the extinction of humanity with the help of an A.I. system.

From Colombia comes THE OTHER SON (El otro hijo), an emotionally charged semi-autobiographical tale and a moving portrait of adolescence. The world of wellness is explored in THE PRACTICE (La práctica), a witty, dark comedy about two recently separated yoga instructors; plus war-of-the-sexes satire THE TENDERNESS (La ternura) which stars Emma Suárez and Gonzalo de Castro.

Lovers of Spanish comedies will be thrilled with this year’s amusing selection. A box office hit in Spain and the third installment in the highly successful Spanish Affair movie franchise, A MOROCCAN AFFAIR (Ocho apellidos marroquís) sees the Díaz-Aguirre family’s lives flipped upside down with a trip to Morocco. In IDOL AFFAIR (Buscando a Coque) Alexandra Jiménez (also in Checkmates) and Hugo Silva star as a couple who must deal with an unexpected scenario involving the other’s idol.

ONE HELL OF A HOLIDAY (¡Vaya vacaciones!) features an all-star ensemble cast and pays homage to all grandparents, as fun adventures await when two are left looking after their grandchildren yet again; and JUST ONE SMALL FAVOUR (El favor) sees the adult children of a wealthy family facing the skeletons in their closets when their late nanny leaves a series of letters for them.

The 2024 HSBC Spanish Film Festival will take place nationally from 11 June to 10 July (dates vary – and ending 17 July in Sydney) in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Ballina and Byron Bay. Tickets are now on sale.

2024 HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Canberra 11 June – 10 July: Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 12 June – 10 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Brisbane 13 June – 10 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks
Perth 13 June – 10 July: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX
Melbourne 14 June – 10 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema
Sydney 19 June – 17 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema
Byron Bay 21 June – 10 July: Palace Byron Bay
Ballina 21 June – 10 July: Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.spanishfilmfestival.com

Opening this year’s festival is the Australian Premiere of ONE LIFE starring Sir Anthony Hopkins arriving direct from its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Based on a deeply moving true story of kindness and compassion that was almost forgotten for 50 years, Hopkins delivers a remarkable performance as Sir Nicholas Winton, also known as the “British Schindler”, who helped rescue hundreds of children from Europe on the verge of World War II. The film also stars Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce, and Helena Bonham Carter in supporting roles.

A new documentary that takes a deep dive into cinema history, MY NAME IS ALFRED HITCHCOCK, offers fans old and new an inspiring portrait of a truly iconic filmmaker. Extensively and intricately researched, this insightful documentary weaves footage from virtually every film Hitchcock ever made to offer a fresh profile of the masterful movie maker and his practice.

Another much-loved name in British cinema is Ken Loach. The festival is delighted to present the Australian Premiere of his new film THE OLD OAK. The latest work from the revered filmmaker tells the story of a publican who struggles to hold onto his small-town pub as tensions rise upon the arrival of Syrian refugees seeking asylum. True to form, Loach continues to examine social and human rights issues and delivers a heartfelt narrative on the power of acceptance and community.

Engaging with notions of masculinity, self-discovery and gender expression with touching honesty and insight, writer-director Dionne Edwards’ PRETTY RED DRESS is a beautifully poignant journey supported by a stellar cast and featuring the music of Tina Turner. Set in South London, the exhilarating sojourn weaves a story of powerful self-expression, confronting the past and of course, a glorious red dress.

The festival is pleased to announce that Marcus Markou, the director of THE WIFE AND HER HOUSE HUSBAND will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne for a series of Q&A sessions. Featuring an honest, tender script navigating the highs and lows of married life, Markou crafts an engrossing and engaging drama fuelled by solid central performances. Charting the breakdown of a marriage, a forgotten letter brings the couple together to face their past and their most intimate feelings for each other.

The festival opens on Wednesday 1 November in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and Thursday 2 November in Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane concluding on Wednesday 29 November in all cities.

The full programme to be announced and tickets on sale on Thursday 5 October.

The Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: 1 – 29 Nov, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
Melbourne: 1 – 29 Nov, The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, The Kino and Pentridge Cinemas
Adelaide: 1 – 29 Nov, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 1 – 29 Nov, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Canberra: 2 – 29 Nov, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 2 – 29 Nov, Palace Barracks and Palace James Street
Byron Bay: 2 – 29 Nov, Palace Byron Bay
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

The ST. ALi Italian Film Festival will open with the Australian Premiere of THE LAST NIGHT OF AMORE (L’ultima notte di Amore), a stylish Milan-set thriller starring the magnificent Pierfrancesco Favino. A major Italian box office hit, the film follows a police lieutenant who is drawn into a web of crime and corruption on the eve of his retirement. 2023 Fstival Ambassador Silvia Colloca, multi-talented Italian Australian food writer, actor, TV producer ad Opera trained mezzo-soprano, will officially open the festival in Sydney and Melbourne at spectacular Opening Night Gala events, which include after parties.

Direct from the Cannes Film Festival come the three Italian films that screened In Competition this year. The 2023 Festival Centrepiece is Marco Bellocchio’s KIDNAPPED (Rapito). Based on true events, the gripping historical drama is the story of a young Jewish boy whose abduction by the Vatican fuelled outrage in 19th-century Italy and triggered a global scandal. Alice Rohrwacher’s LA CHIMERA, a captivating fable of lost love set in 1980s Tuscany, follows a young British archaeologist (played by Josh O’Connor) who becomes entangled in an international network dealing in stolen Italian artefacts and in Nanni Moretti’s multi layered new comedy A BRIGHTER TOMORROW (Il sol dell’avvenire), about filmmaking in the age of streaming giants, a film director (Mretti) struggles with his relationship, family and the production of his latest film.

This year’s festival features three Special Presentations. THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (Le otto montagne), starring Luca Marinelli and Alessandro Borghi, was awarded the Cannes Jury Prize in 2022 and won four David di Donatello Awards. The epic journey of friendship and self-discovery is set in the breathtaking Italian Alps. BURNING HEARTS (Ti mangio il cuore), is a searing crime story of love and revenge set in Puglia and shot in stunning black and white, which stars Italian singer Elodie in her first acting role.

CARAVAGGIO’S SHADOW (L’ombra di Caravaggio) is a lush, historical drama starring the impeccable Riccardo Scamarcio, which explores the struggles of the notorious Renaissance painter as he is investigated by the Vatican. The film won a number of David di Donatello and Nastri D’Argento Awards.

Documentary highlights include THE CIRCLE (Il cerchio). The winner of Best Documentary at the 2023 David di Donatello Awards, Sophie Chiarello’s film follows the pupils of an Italian primary school for five years, capturing their unique perspective on the world. MAGIC NAPLES (Napoli magica) follows actor/director Marco D’Amore as he sets out on a journey of discovery into the heart of Naples, uncovering myths, legends, the labyrinths of the city and the countless stories of one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in the world. Directed by former Versace model Salvatore Zannino, THE GENIUS OF GIANNI VERSACE ALIVE takes viewers on a deep dive into the creative genius of influential Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace in a celebration of his extraordinary life and career.

A companion piece to the festival retrospective focus on Massimo Troisi (detailed below) is Mario Martone’s SOMEBODY DOWN THERE LIKES ME (Laggiù qualcuno mi ama). In this personal journey into the cinema of Troisi, the acclaimed director combines film scenes, interviews with Italian cinema stars and critics plus previously unpublished materials to explore the life and career of the cinema great.

Roberto Andò’s imaginative and irreverent biopic STRANGENESS (La stranezza) explores the inspiration behind one of modern Italian theatre’s revolutionary works. An Italian box office hit, it stars festival favourite Toni Servillo as Literature Nobel Prize winning playwright Luigi Pirandello on a trip to Sicily in the 1920s, where he is faced with a serious case of writer’s block.

Direct from the 2023 Venice Film Festival is THE ORDER OF TIME (L’ordine del tempo), an all-star ensemble drama about the reality of time and the meaning of life, featuring Alessandro Gassmann, Claudia Gerini, Edoardo Leo and Angela Molina. Loosely inspired by the bestselling physics novel by Carlo Rovelli, a group of friends get together in a seaside villa to celebrate a birthday, only to discover it may be their last reunion.

Closing the 2023 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival is the magnificent THE POSTMAN (Il Postino), which remains, after nearly four decades, critically acclaimed and loved by audiences around the world. Co-starring the inimitable Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Troisi’s final film before his untimely passing is an engaging blend of easy humour and sunny romance that explores love, poetry and friendship in 1950s Italy.

The 2023 festival retrospective, presented by the Italian Institute of Culture Sydney, celebrates Massimo Troisi’s thirty-year career in Italian cinema which began with a successful stint in cabaret, theatre and television. Three of his most significant films will be screened; his debut in I’M STARTING FROM THREE (Ricomincio da tre), a humorous and heartfelt exploration of self-discovery in which he plays a young Neapolitan who moves to Florence; a comedic adventure NOTHING LEFT TO DO BUT CRY (Non ci resta che piangere), starring Roberto Benigni and Massimo Troisi as two best friends who find themselves transported back in time to 15th Century Tuscany and SPLENDOR, a touching story set within the aisles of a cinema named Splendor co-starring Marcello Mastroianni in an ode to the magic of cinemagoing.

Featuring an all-star cast including Margherita Buy and Toni Servillo, THE FIRST DAY OF MY LIFE (Il primo giorno della mia vita) is a film about love and the meaning of life from the director of 2016 smash hit Perfect Strangers, Paolo Genovese. DELTA is a gritty and compelling drama about a struggle between local fishermen and poachers, played by Alessandro Borghi and Luigi Lo Cascio, on the foggy Po River Delta.

Standout thrillers include LIKE SHEEP AMONG WOLVES (Come percore in mezzo ai lupi) starring Isabella Ragonese as a policewoman who has infiltrated a criminal gang in Rome and PROPHETS (Profeti) in which Jasmine Trinca delivers a standout performance as Sara, an Italian journalist kidnapped by ISIS who must navigate the relationship she forms with her keeper Nur, a foreign fighter who was radicalised in London.

Films for families include THE PROPERTIES OF METALS (Le proprietà dei metalli), set in an Italian village in the 1970s where a young boy astounds locals by appearing to bend metal simply through the power of his mind; and heartfelt drama SUPERNOVA (Noi anni luce) led by two young rising stars of Italian cinema, Carolina Sala and Rocco Fasano, as a pair of newfound friends who embark on a life changing journey.

The affectionate odd-couple drama ORLANDO stars Michele Placido as an elderly Italian farmer meeting his granddaughter for the first time in Brussels; and MY SOUL SUMMER, starring Italian X Factor winner Casadilego, is the tale of a seventeen-year-old girl who meets a famous (older) singer and discovers her own passion for music.

Festival favourite Marco Giallini stars in the delightful comedy MY SHADOW IS YOUR SHADOW (La mia ombra è tua), the story of a young university graduate and a famous reclusive writer set out on a road trip to a fair in Milan, where the writer will break over twenty years of silence to deliver a talk.

To kick off the opening week of the festival, there will be free screenings of short films ‘10 Corti Italiani’ In association with the Centro Nazionale del Cortometraggio in Turin and presented by the Italian Cultural Institutes in Melbourne and Sydney.

The free screenings will take place on Sunday 17 September in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra and Sunday 24 September in Brisbane, Perth and Byron Bay at Palace Cinemas. Attendance needs to be confirmed via the ticketing links on the website, where further details are available.

ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE.

The 2023 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney 19 September – 18 October, Palace Central, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema
Canberra 20 September – 18 October, Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 20 September – 15 October, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Melbourne 21 September – 18 October, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre, Cinema Nova
Brisbane 27 September – 25 October, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Perth 28 September – 25 October, Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema
Byron Bay 28 September – 18 October, Palace Byron Bay
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Adding some spice to the start of winter, the 2023 Festival opens with the Australian premiere of TWO MANY CHEFS (La vida padre), a delicious comedy set in Bilbao’s world of high cuisine. The Spanish box office hit stars Karra Elejalde and Enric Auquer as a father and son whose unexpected reunion after thirty years apart puts their ideas about cooking and life to the test.

The two Special Presentations of the 2023 line up are both exceptional dramas. Five-time Goya Award-winner and Spanish box office hit thriller PRISON 77 (Modelo 77) from Alberto Rodríguez (Marshland) follows a young accountant, played by Miguel Herrán from hit Netflix series Money Heist, awaiting trial for embezzlement in 1977. Whilst incarcerated, he joins a group of prisoners demanding amnesty.

THE KINGS OF THE WORLD (Los reyes del mundo) won the 2022 San Sebastian Film Festival’s Best Film award and was also Colombia’s 2022 Oscars submission. Laura Mora’s gritty and intense drama follows five Medellín teenagers from the streets who seek a place in the world and set out on an adventure in search of the promised land.

MY FATHER’S MEXICAN WEDDING (La novia de América), from the Cine Latino section, is a hilarious romantic comedy starring Miren Ibarguren. Two Spanish siblings travel to Mexico to attend the wedding of their father to a woman he met online, but what they find there is not what they expected.

Featuring a brilliant cast led by Festival favourite Paco León, STARING AT STRANGERS (No mires a los ojos) is dripping with intrigue and surprises. León stars as a man spying on a family from inside a closet, becoming a mysterious presence in their lives.

There will be a special preview on Wednesday 7 June, before the festival officially opens, of the new romantic comedy FOUR’S A CROWD (El cuarto pasajero). In this Spanish box office hit from Álex de la Iglesia, a 50-year-old divorcee with financial problems begins sharing his car with strangers via an app on a trip to Madrid, but trouble ensues when he adds new passengers.

The 2023 Spanish Film Festival will take place nationally from 14 June to 12 July in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Byron Bay.

The full programme will be announced and tickets on sale Wednesday 17 May.

Tickets for the festival preview go on sale on Wednesday 10 May.

Spanish Film Festival 2023
Canberra 14 June – 5 July: Palace Electric Cinema.
Adelaide 14 June – 5 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
Brisbane 14 June – 5 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks.
Melbourne 15 June-5 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema.
Perth 15 June – 5 July: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX.
Byron Bay 15 June – 5 July: Palace Byron Bay.
Sydney 20 June – 12 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema.
www.spanishfilmfestival.com

The 2022 Festival opens in Brisbane on 21 September with Italian box office hit BELLI CIAO, starring comedic duo Pio and Amedeo. It follows two formerly inseparable friends who reunite in their hometown in Puglia after years apart, resulting in an entertaining north versus south culture clash. Opening Night receptions will include delicious Italian antipasti, Santa Margherita Prosecco and more.

Direct from the Cannes Film Festival is this year’s Festival Centrepiece NOSTALGIA, directed by Mario Martone and winner of Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor at the 2022 Nastri D’Argento Awards. An atmospheric urban drama starring the superb Pierfrancesco Favino, it follows a man returning to his hometown of Naples after 40 years and rediscovering the city, its codes and rules, and facing a past that has haunted him.

One of Italy’s most significant filmmakers, Pier Paolo Pasolini, will be the focus of a retrospective celebrating the centenary of his birth. The Festival is thrilled to present three of his iconic film adaptions of literary works: THE CANTERBURY TALES on its 50th anniversary, ARABIAN NIGHTS and THE DECAMERON.

New Italian Cinema highlights include BREAKING UP IN ROME (Lasciarsi un giorno a Roma), an homage to the Italian capital. This heartfelt romantic comedy directed by and starring Edoardo Leo delves into the difficulties a couple faces when they separate after many years living together.

Romance is a key ingredient of the suspenseful and delicious comedy THE PERFECT DINNER (La cena perfetta) which sees a Neapolitan mafioso who is sent to Rome to launder money through a restaurant crossing paths with a chef who dreams of winning a Michelin star.

THE SHADOW OF THE DAY (L’ombra del giorno) features brilliant performances from a smouldering Riccardo Scamarcio and rising star Benedetta Porcaroli. Following the declaration of racial laws in Fascist Italy, a restaurateur’s life changes when a girl with a dangerous secret starts to work at his restaurant in this dramatic love story.

For families comes the prequel to the hugely successful THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS WITCH (IFF19) called THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS WITCH 2 – THE ORIGINS (La Befana vien di notte 2: Le origini), featuring an excellent ensemble cast including Monica Bellucci. Set in the 18th Century, the comedy explores the origins of the Befana.

The full programme will be released and tickets go on sale Thursday 18 August.

The 2022 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney 13 September – 12 October, Palace Central, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema
Canberra 14 September – 12 October, Palace Electric Cinema
Melbourne 15 September – 12 October, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor, Cinema Nova
Brisbane 21 September – 16 October, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide 21 September – 16 October, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth 22 September – 16 October, Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema
Byron Bay 23 September – 9 October, Palace Byron Bay

For information and updates, please visit www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Start planning now to visit famous faces from the sixteenth century to today. Think Mandela, Malala, Churchill, Diana, Bowie, Sheeran, Westwood and more! And iconic artists like Warhol, Hockney, Emin, van Dyck, Rubens and Freud. There’ll be fame, power, love, loss, innovation and the downright inspirational – it’s going to be incredible.

This really is a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity – showing exclusively at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra – so keep calm and grab your ticket!

Shakespeare to Winehouse – Icons from the National Portrait Gallery
12 March – 17 July 2022
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
www.portrait.gov.au

So, we have some ‘Top 5’ lists, including:

• FILMS TO GET YOUR HEART RACING
• FILMS TO MAKE YOU LOL
• SPOTLIGHT ON PARIS
• WEIRD AND WACKY
• FILMS FOR THE CULTURALLY AND POLITICALLY INQUISITIVE
• FILMS TO SET YOUR HEART AFLUTTER
• FILMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
• FILMS YOU SHOULD SEE IF YOU’VE NEVER SEEN A FRENCH FILM BEFORE AND ARE A TEENY BIT SCARED

Whether you are a French film aficionado or a first timer, there is something for everyone at the 2020 Alliance Française French Film Festival! And you are welcome!

FILMS TO GET YOUR HEART RACING
If you enjoy sliding down to the edge of your seat, biting your fingernails until they bleed and getting sweaty palms, then these films are for you!

Zombie Child
Haiti, 1962…A man is resurrected from the dead and trapped in a nightmare of slavery. Modern-day Paris…Haitian teen Mélissa, the new girl at an elite school, is invited to join a secret ‘literary sorority’. But the incendiary family secret she harbours becomes a source of fascination to others, who exploit her heritage with shocking results.

Only the Animals
Set in an isolated town in the lush, wintery mountains of southern France, the film opens with the departure of Evelyne, a local woman whose disappearance during a snowstorm soon reveals itself as murder. This act of violence gradually unveils the hidden agendas of several locals, setting the unexpected into motion.

The Perfect Nanny
When, despite her husband’s misgivings, mother of two Myriam decides to return to work as a lawyer, the decision is made to engage a nanny. Enter Louise. Almost instantly becoming one of the family, Louise seems too good to be true. As events unravel, that might just be the case…

Sibyl
Dissatisfied with her life, Sibyl, a psychiatrist, decides to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Casting professional ethics aside, she secretly uses the private sessions of her actress patient, Margot, as inspiration for her novel, a decision that irreversibly impacts upon both their lives.

The Translators
Nine language experts, hired to translate the final book of a bestselling trilogy, are in lockdown within a luxurious bunker. But when the top-secret manuscript’s first ten pages appear online, their dream job implodes. The culprit has to amongst them and the publisher is ready to do whatever it takes to unmask who it is.

FILMS TO MAKE YOU LOL
Let’s face it, the real world can be a little stressful and daunting at times so it’s nice to take a few hours out of your everyday life to enjoy a few LOLs in the comfort of an air-conditioned cinema whilst sipping on a cool beverage, and chowing down on a choc-top. These films are guaranteed to make you forget your stresses, at least for a short while.

How to be a Good Wife
In 1968 amidst the lush regions of Alsace, the head of a housekeeping school that transforms teenage girls into ideal housewives, has her pristine life implode when she encounters her long-lost first love whilst simultaneously learning that her business is on the brink of financial ruin.

10 Days Without Mum
On the verge of a career-making promotion, Antoine is left to manage home and children when his wife announces she’s off on a 10-day break. Even though she leaves detailed instructions, he moves from one disaster to another. Can the family survive without their mother, even for just 10 days?

I’ll Go Where You Go
When their sick father asks Mina to travel with her estranged sister, Vali to a career-making singing audition, the two girls embark upon an emotionally uplifting road-trip that leads them on an unexpected adventure.

A Brother’s Love
In this moving and very funny portrait of life, family and being a woman, Sophia, a struggling academic, is forced to change her outlook when Karim, her dependable big brother, falls in love with her friend, Eloise, leaving her feeling more disoriented than ever,

A Friendly Tale
In this delicious tale of tested loyalties, the close friendship of two long-time couples is put at risk when one of the two wives unexpectedly becomes a best-selling author, upsetting the intricate balance of this formerly close-knit quartet.

FILMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
If you’re looking for a movie other than a Disney animation to take the kids to see, here is a selection of movies that the younger members of your family will love as much as you do.

The Lost Prince
Djibi, a devoted single father, transforms into a heroic Prince in the nightly fairy-tales he tells his beloved 7-year-old daughter, Sofia. But as the years pass, Sofia is ready for her own stories with different heroes. But is the Prince ready to become just a memory of his daughter’s childhood?

Of Love and Lies
Desperate to halt his father’s self-destructive spiral, a young boy tests for a top soccer club, but is rejected for being too small. Not wishing to impose yet another disappointment on his father, he impulsively articulates a well-meaning fiction… one that quickly spirals and overtakes not just his life, but that of those around him.

Roxane
A Breton poultry farmer harbours a secret passion for the theatre, shared only with his hens, to whom he gives rousing performances of Cyrano de Bergerac. But when Brittany’s chicken farms face financial ruin, he takes to broadcasting his theatrics via YouTube, with his favourite hen, and star-in-the-making, Roxane.

Spread your wings
Christian, a visionary scientist, studies wild birds. For his son, a teenager obsessed with video games, the idea of spending a vacation with his father in the middle of nature is a nightmare. However, father and son soon bond over a daring project to save an endangered species, which takes them on an incredible journey.

SamSam
Based on the beloved comic book series comes the animated debut of the tiny red superhero; SamSam. Dreaming of having his first-ever superpower, SamSam is excited when Mega, the mysterious new kid at school, tells him she holds the key. But SamSam soon discovers that superpowers are not so easily acquired!

WEIRD AND WACKY
The French have a history of quirky films (remember that fascinating documentary about potatoes or the film where a severed hand goes on a journey to find the rest of its body?) and this year’s Festival has a plethora of bizarro films to whet your weirdo appetite.

The Bare Necessity
The members of close-knit family entrenched in a comfortable routine within their small Vosges village, find their lives turned upside down when Juliette, an enigmatic stranger, forces them to redefine their boundaries and begin to fully live.

Donkey skin
This newly restored version marks this classic’s 50th anniversary. A king promises his dying queen that he will only re-marry if he can find someone more beautiful than her. He narrows his list down to their daughter who, alarmed by the thought of an incestuous union, escapes to a nearby kingdom wearing a magical donkey skin.

Deerskin
With his life in disarray, Georges might not be able to control his circumstances, but he can control his wardrobe. Believing that the deerskin jacket of his dreams is the answer to all his problems, Georges’ delusions gradually increase each time he wears it, edging his obsession closer to a violent delirium.

Room 212
After Maria reveals a long history of affairs to her husband, she opts to spend the night at a hotel opposite their home. But this is a “magical night”, and it’s not long before time collapses upon itself opening a window into the past where young passions are revisited and the very concept of love, questioned.

My Days of Glory
Self-absorbed and unemployed, a promising career as a child actor has led wisecracking Adrien to virtually nothing since. But when the chance of a lead role in a big-budget biopic beckons, he must decide whether it’s worth casting aside the comforting familiarity of failure in order to finally stand on his own two feet.

FILMS FOR THE CULTURALLY AND POLITICALLY INQUISITIVE
Going to the movies isn’t just about having a LOL and eating your body weight in popcorn, sometimes it’s an opportunity to look beyond our own lives and learn about cultures and communities far removed from our own. These films may be confronting and often heart-breaking, but they are also enlightening and soul-restoring.

Les Misérables
Set in the troubled Parisian district of Montfermeil, this searing tale follows cop Stéphane who works on the fringes of both the city and society. With tensions at boiling point, it’s a trial by fire as he and his corrupt, often violent, colleagues, face off against the region’s clashing factions of angry teens.

Invisibles
In this soul-enriching comedy, an illegal women’s shelter earmarked for closure, decides to fight back by turning to unorthodox methods of survival, when bureaucrats ignore their pleas for assistance. From now on everything is allowed…!

In the Name of Land
Returning to France in the late 70s, Pierre marries his sweetheart and takes over his father’s farm. But twenty years onwards, Pierre is exhausted. With mounting debt, what was once satisfying begins to take an insidious toll on his family who risk being torn apart by the property that binds them, in this powerful tale of resilience.

Farewell to the Night
Muriel, a respected member of her idyllic local community, is horrified to discover that her visiting grandson, who claims to be heading to Canada for work, has in reality been radicalised by Islamist extremists. His plans to fight for ISIS in Syria expose this ordinary woman to a moral dilemma of heart-breaking proportions.

The Swallows of Kabul
Based on the cherished novel of the same name, the story follows two couples living in the Afghan capital during the 90s and the impact Taliban rule has on each relationship. Through their individual love stories, unforgettable characters emerge amid the devastating impact of armed combat.

FILMS TO SET YOUR HEART AFLUTTER
Perfect for a first date or much-needed date night with your long-time lover, these films will restore your faith in love in a way that only the French know how.

Love at Second Sight
After waking in a parallel universe, Raphaël finds his wife, Olivia, is nowhere to be seen and his professional achievements have vanished. Without Olivia, his life is empty, but winning her back proves harder than he could have imagined – especially when he realises she doesn’t even know who he is!

Someone Somewhere
Mélanie and Remy are two neighbours who have never met. She is a scientist, mourning a recent break-up, who sleeps too much, whilst he hates his job and finds sleep impossible. Amidst their urban isolation, will they ever look up long enough to see the romantic possibilities that lie right before them?!

La Belle Epoque
Disillusioned, his long-term marriage on the rocks, a man is given a second chance when he encounters a company offering a unique theatrical service that enables customers to revisit memories through carefully orchestrated re-enactments, thus allowing him to return to 1974 and the peak of his happiness.

The Bare Necessity
The members of close-knit family entrenched in a comfortable routine within their small Vosges village, find their lives turned upside down when Juliette, an enigmatic stranger, forces them to redefine their boundaries and begin to fully live.

My Dog Stupide
Henri, a writer in the depths of a mid-life crisis who hasn’t released a successful book in 25 years, strikes-up an unconventional friendship with a stray, bad-mannered dog who inspires him and his dysfunctional family to re-examine their lives and attitudes towards each other.

SPOTLIGHT ON PARIS
The City of Lights, the Fashion Capital of the World, The City of Love – whatever you call it, Paris evokes a sense of romance and culture that captures one’s imagination. These films shine a light on the compelling stories and people of Paris – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Edmond
Paris, 1897. Although not yet thirty and clearly gifted as a writer, Edmond Rostand already has two children, many anxieties, but scant literary success. When given three weeks to write a play for a mercurial star of the stage, all he has is the title, Cyrano de Bergerac. Can he accomplish the impossible?

Notre Dame
Maud, a single mother and struggling architect, wins a competition to redesign the Notre Dame esplanade. However, what should be a career-defining opportunity only brings more drama, heightened by romantic complications, when the project becomes a media scandal.

Les Misérables
Set in the troubled Parisian district of Montfermeil, this searing tale follows cop Stéphane who works on the fringes of both the city and society. With tensions at boiling point, it’s a trial by fire as he and his corrupt, often violent, colleagues, face off against the region’s clashing factions of angry teens.

Aznavour by Charles
Crooner, Charles Aznavour, beguiled his legions of fans with a dream of romance. But his life beyond music was even more extraordinary. An actor, political activist, diplomat and filmmaker, this enthralling documentary, with rare footage, reveals a complicated, multi-talented man who entertained for the greater part of a century.

Vernon Subutex (TV series)
When Vernon Subutex, an unemployed former owner of a once legendary record shop, is evicted from his flat, he’s helped by old friend rock star Alex Bleach. But Bleach’s sudden death makes Vernon a deadly target when it’s discovered that he’s in possession of 3 mysterious videotapes owned by Bleach.

FILMS YOU SHOULD SEE IF YOU’VE NEVER SEEN A FRENCH FILM BEFORE AND ARE A TEENY BIT SCARED
We know that reading sub-titles for two hours can be a little daunting when all you want to do is watch Jason Statham crash cars into other cars driven by The Rock, but trust us, watching a foreign language film can actually be quite fun. The films in this list are easy to follow and enjoyable to watch – plus they all run for less than two hours! At the very least, you can tick it off your bucket list and who knows you might actually become a legit French film fan.

The Extraordinary
An informal shelter in Paris for autistic youth, abandoned by a system unable to care for them, is put at risk when authorities target it for investigation.

La Belle Epoque
Disillusioned, his long-term marriage on the rocks, a man is given a second chance when he encounters a company offering a unique theatrical service that enables customers to revisit memories through carefully orchestrated re-enactments, thus allowing him to return to 1974 and the peak of his happiness.

How to be a Good Wife
In 1968 amidst the lush regions of Alsace, the head of a housekeeping school that transforms teenage girls into ideal housewives, has her pristine life implode when she encounters her long-lost first love whilst simultaneously learning that her business is on the brink of financial ruin.

My Dog Stupide
Henri, a writer in the depths of a mid-life crisis who hasn’t released a successful book in 25 years, strikes-up an unconventional friendship with a stray, bad-mannered dog who inspires him and his dysfunctional family to re-examine their lives and attitudes towards each other.

The Mystery of Henri Pick
The late Henry Pick, in life an unassuming Breton pizza marker, is celebrated as a brilliant author when a lost manuscript, attributed to him, becomes a literary success. But one outspoken intellectual thinks the whole thing is a sham, and, after losing his wife, his job and his prominence due to his opinion, decides to uncover the truth.

31st Alliance Française French Film Festival
18 March-14 April
Palace Barracks & Palace James Street
www.affrenchfilmfestival.org