ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2019

Now in its 30th year, the Alliance Française French Film Festival has a huge line-up for film lovers and Francophiles.

Browse through our collection of reviews from this year's festival to discover what tickles your fancy.

THE WILD BOYS

A surreal coming-of-age adventure

It's an entirely original film debut from Bertrand Mandico, and will especially appeal to those with an interest in gender-bending and fluidity, implied or depicted queerness and sociology.

THE SISTERS BROTHERS

Blood runs thicker than plot

While far from perfect, it’s always a pleasure spending time with the film’s four male stars, led by Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly. If only their material had been a bit richer.

REVENGE

Gory thrills for the #MeToo era

Stylish, with a neat soundtrack and glossy visuals, and violent in a tough and satisfying way, ‘Revenge’ doesn't wallow in some of the uglier things that the films in this genre tend to.

THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD

The horrors of loneliness

This zombie film is not an action-packed gore-fest. Instead, it poses questions about the nature of humanity and loneliness.

DILILI IN PARIS

A timely animated adventure

While ‘Dilili in Paris’ is skewed to a younger audience, there is still a lot to enjoy for astute adults who can appreciate the beauty, art, and literature of its time period.

LE GRAND BAL

Dancing to the rhythm of life

It's at once questing and intimate, a hypnotic look at the human identity, as an individual as well as part of a collective, through the lens of music and dance.

KNIFE+HEART

A very racy, very French murder mystery

It takes a lot of pleasure in replicating 1970s visuals with grainy celluloid, saturated lighting and bright primary colours. Just don't watch it with your parents.

DUMPED

A breezy comedy for the ladies

It doesn’t aim to be highbrow, sophisticated satire, but it does deliver the laughs. Full of fun, it captures the essence of a beach holiday, and is best enjoyed with a big glass of red wine.

GENESIS

A delicately crafted ode to young love

A poignant and extremely well-crafted testament to the scary beauty of young love.

LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD

A black and white blast from the past

A black and white classic that's a unique cinematic experience, inviting viewers to roam its monolithic halls again and again, feeling like a new film every time.

HIGH LIFE

A hypnotic and abhorrent sci-fi triumph

Despite the deep space setting of the film, it is an inherently human experience. It will be unpalatable for some, an instant classic for others - but the brutality and power of this film is undeniable.