Six films not to miss at the 2019 Alliance Française French Film Festival

Posted on 13 February, 2019

Mais oui, your favourite foreign film festival is back, and with it, your annual chance to pretend you’re on holiday to France.

As always, the festival promises many chances to deep dive into lush French landscapes, from gritty Paris to the picturesque island of Réunion, with more than 50 films on offer.

With a variety of special events happening across the festival including a Romantic Comedy night, a Western Session presented in partnership with Enlighten, a Gastronomy Night (where do we sign up?) and HerCanberra’s very own Girls Night Out, there’s plenty to keep you laughing (and reaching for the tissues).

Here’s what not to miss when the Alliance Française French Film Festival kicks off on Thursday 7 March.

DUMPED

Okay, we might be a little biased as this is the film chosen for our 2019 HerCanberra Girls Night Out on Wednesday 13 March, but once you watch the trailer, you’ll see why it’s top of the list.

With an all-star female cast and a highly-acclaimed female director, Dumped follows two grown-up sisters as they take their recently single mother on holiday to an island paradise to forget their father. Yes, it’s as funny as it sounds.

Keep an eye on the website for more updates about our Girls Night Out…we promise it’s going to be unmissable.

Click here for session times.

GIRL

The Golden Camera winner at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Belgium film Girl explores the journey of adolescent transgender girl Lara, whose desire to undergo gender reassignment is matched only by her drive to one day become a professional ballerina. Take the Kleenex.

Click here for session times.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER: FREAK & CHIC

Dive into this all-access documentary and explore the glamorous world of iconic designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Shot over a six-month period as Gaultier prepares his Fashion Fresh Show cabaret, this riveting documentary features appearances by Madonna and Marion Cotillard, and is a must-see for lovers of haute couture.

Click here for session times.

SINK OR SWIM

A bunch of middle-aged men, coloured speedos and a killer soundtrack. What could go wrong? An all-star comedy featuring many familiar faces, Sink or Swim sees a group of listless men decide to form a competitive synchronised swimming team.

We dare you to get through the trailer without smiling at least once.

Click here for session times.

GIRLS OF THE SUN

As lawyer-turned-freedom fighter Baha prepares to liberate her home village in Kurdistan and free her son, she meets French journalist Mathilde, herself traumatised by the death of her husband in Libya.

Based on the real-life experience of the Yazidi women who were captured by Islamic State before escaping to form their own army, known as ‘Girls of the Sun’, this film is a powerful epic about strength in the face of adversity.

Click here for session times.

IN SAFE HANDS

In an Australian premiere, audiences will be treated to a screening of heart-string-tugging In Safe Hands, which follows baby Theo’s journey through the child welfare system from a mother who doesn’t want to keep him to a woman desperately seeking a child.

Click here for session times.

the essentials

What: 2019 Alliance Française French Film Festival
When: 7 March – 10 April 2019
Where: Palace Electric, 1 Philip Law Street, NewActon”
Tickets: From $16.50 per session
More information: affrenchfilmfestival.org/schedule/canberra

HerCanberra is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Alliance Française French Film Festival.