The French Film Festival Aotearoa makes its return to screens around Aotearoa from May 28. “Alors laissez-moi vous mettre au courant,” says Steve Newall.
Celebrating its 19th year, the French Film Festival Aotearoa has grown into New Zealand’s biggest film festival. From May 28, this year’s excellent Franco-friendly lineup will make its way around the country. Touching down in 24 towns and cities, this year’s schedule includes the addition of new destinations in the form of Waiheke Island, Cambridge, Tākaka and Queenstown.
There’s plenty of filmic firepower in the French Film Festival Aotearoa programme, with 23 curated pics that showcase the best of contemporary French cinema. From blockbuster epics to quirky comedies, the range of films on offer will be familiar to returning FFA patrons—and deserving of your attention should you consider attending for the very first time.
Opening Night film Monsieur Aznavour sets the tone, a musical biopic that’s both lavish and intimate, tracing the life of beloved French singer and actor Charles Aznavour. Born to Armenian refugees in Paris, mentored by Edith Piaf, Aznavour found global fame in the 1950s with his chansons about the dramas of the common man (drawing from his own experiences).
Two centrepiece films anchor the programme, each showing off a different, captivating side of French cinema. The Count of Monte Cristo adapts Alexandre Dumas’ classic action adventure, doing justice to this tale of a wronged man taking elaborate revenge with a production budget of around $80 million (making it the most expensive French film produced in 2024).
Swapping swashbuckling for singledom, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life follows an aspiring writer who dreams of literary success and love, but has found neither working in a bookstore—until, perhaps, she’s invited to take part in the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Further cementing the cinematic credentials of this year’s French Film Festival Aotearoa programme are four films in their Cannes Spotlight section (My Brother’s Band, The Thread, Beating Hearts, Holy Cow) while there’s still plenty to discover among the festival’s other selections.
As Festival Director Fergus Grady is quoted as saying: “We’re thrilled to bring this year’s festival to more locations than ever before, and to mark a special milestone in France – New Zealand relations. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or simply curious about French culture, there’s something for everyone in this year’s line-up.”
The French Film Festival Aotearoa is coming to a cinema near you soon. Read on for festival dates, the full lineup of films and where to watch them (with film synopses supplied by the festival). Keep and eye on Flicks and the French Film Festival Aotearoa website for more info.
28 May to 8 June – Tākaka
28 May to 18 June – Hamilton and Nelson
28 May t0 22 June – Auckland
29 May to 15 June – Kerikeri, Masterton, Matakana, Queenstown, Wānaka, Whanganui and Whitianga
29 May to 18 June – Tauranga
04 to 29 June – Wellington
05 to 22 June – Blenheim
05 to 25 June – Rangiora
05 to 29 June – Christchurch
07 to 20 June – Waiheke Island
12 to 25 June – Dunedin and Whangārei
11 to 29 June – Havelock North
12 to 29 June – New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North
19 to 29 June – Cambridge
Monsieur Aznavour
“From his poor childhood to his rise to fame, from his triumphs to his failures, from Paris to New York, this film follows the exceptional journey of devoted artist, Monsieur Aznavour.”
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo (2024)
“After 14 years in an island prison, wrongly accused Edmond Dantes manages a daring escape and assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo to exact his revenge on the three men who betrayed him.”
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
“A desperately single bookseller, lost in a fantasy world, finds herself forced to fulfil her dreams of becoming a writer in order to stop messing up her love life.”
My Brother’s Band
The Marching Band (My Brother's Band)
“This wildly entertaining new film follows two very different siblings separated by fate and reunited by their love of music.”
The Thread
“Jean Monier is a disillusioned lawyer, appointed to defend Nicolas Milik, a man accused of murdering his wife. While everything points to his guilt, Monier takes up the case, convinced of his innocence.”
Beating Hearts
“Clotaire falls for his schoolmate Jackie, charmed by her fearless spirit and sharp wit. As first love blossoms between the two but gang violence entices him into a darker path and destroys everything when he is charged with a crime he didn’t commit.”
Holy Cow
“Suddenly having to care for his little sister, a young man must focus on the best chance he’s got to provide for them—entering a local cheese-making competition—in this award-winning French film.”
The Stolen Painting
The Stolen Painting (Le Tableau volé)
“André Masson, specialist in modern art, receives a letter according to which a painting by Egon Schiele had been discovered in Mulhouse. He finds that the work has been missing since 1939. This discovery puts his career in danger.”
Boléro
“In 1928 Paris, choreographer Ida Rubinstein commissions Maurice Ravel to compose the music for her next ballet. Facing a crisis of inspiration, the composer revisits his life and dedicates himself to create a universal masterpiece, Boléro.”
The Divine Sarah Bernhardt
“1915, Sarah Bernhardt is the world’s first star. Free. Modern. Divine. Eccentric. Visionary… Between legend and fantasy, Sarah Bernhardt tells us the love story that marked her life.”
Three Friends
“Joan’s love fades for Victor while Alice reassures her about her own unfulfilling relationship with Eric. Unbeknownst to Alice, Eric is involved with Rebecca. Their lives spiral after Joan leaves Victor, who goes missing.”
The Deluge
“In 1792, the imprisoned Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette face the end of monarchy and the birth of a new world in this untold story of revolution and reckoning.”
Miss Violet
“In 19th-century France, a determined Parisian teacher sent to a rural village must overcome resistance and her own past to prove that education can change lives.”
How to Make a Killing
“On Christmas Eve, Michael and Cathy witness a triple murder and end up with two million euros and a pistol, leading them into increasingly absurd situations to avoid suspicion.”
The French Job
The French Job (The Rules of Art)
“The plot centres on the trio of thieves who stole €100 million worth of works of art by Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani. While the paintings have never been recovered, this outrageous comedy tells a frenetic and madcap tale of what could have happened to these famous works.”
Saint-Ex
“In 1930s Argentina, airmail pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry risks everything to search for his missing friend and fellow aviator lost in the Andes. The true story of the author behind the French classic The Little Prince.”
When Fall is Coming
When Fall is Coming (When Autumn Falls)
“Michelle, a retiree in Burgundy, expects her grandson Lucas but a mistake ruins her plans. Her friend Marie-Claude’s son is released from prison, reviving Michelle’s purpose. From BAFTA-nominated French filmmaker, François Ozon.”
All Stirred Up!
“A French chef in search of fame tries to help the young Lili-Beth win a culinary competition. But to do so he must contend with the hostility of an entire village towards Sonia, the intransigent local customs officer.”
Riviera Revenge
“On the sunny French Riviera, a quest for revenge spirals into a witty journey full of love, mischief, and unexpected surprises.”
The Scammers
“Two friends on a small island in Brittany discover the lottery winner is dead with the winning ticket. They plan a village-wide scam to take his place.”
This Life of Mine
“At 55, Barbie struggles with her identity, relationships, and the chaos of life, descending into darkness and absurdity.”
Love Boat
Love Boat (The Little Escapade)
“To overcome their financial problems, Justine, her husband and their whole group of friends organise a fake romantic cruise for Franck, a big investor, who is trying to seduce a woman.”
Family Therapy
Family Therapy (Not Without My Shrink)
“A successful psychoanalyst’s life is turned upside down by a very anxious and extremely clingy patient who starts dating his daughter.”
