2019 begins with a bang with a French film for quite literally everyone. Take a look at this fresh batch coming out this year. Queer romances, historical animation and kidnapping thrillers abound to please film lovers of all shapes and sizes.
Olivier Assayas creates a sharp, star-studded comedy with Non-fiction. Alain, a successful Parisian publisher struggling to adapt to the digital revolution, has major doubts about the new manuscript of Léonard. Selena, Alain’s wife, a famous stage actress, is of the opposite opinion.
"The frame holds steadier here; it's the churning dialogue - funny, seductive, always carving out fresh tributaries - that propels you forward." - Los Angeles Times
Director: Olivier Assayas
Genre: comedy
Who's in it: Guillaume Canet, Juliette Binoche, Vincent Macaigne
Confident performances meets courageous love story in Sorry Angel. The film will transport you back to your invincible youth. Jacques is an old writer from Paris. Arthur is a young student in Rennes. They instantly fall in love. But they’ll have to face rejection and sickness to keep it that way.
"Vibrant and moving". - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Christophe Honoré
Genre: Drama, romance
Who's in it: Vincent Lacoste, Pierre Deladonchamps, Denis Podalydès
At Waris a film for the every man filled with heart and intensity. Vincent Lindon showcases his most earnest perf yet.
After promising 1100 employees that they would protect their jobs, the managers of a factory decide to suddenly close up shop. Laurent takes the lead in a fight against this decision.
"In Union leader, spokesperson and factory worker Laurent Amédéo, Lindon adds another rivetingly real characterization to his muscular everyman repertoire." - Variety
Director: Stéphane Brizé
Genre: drama
Who's in it: Vincent Lindon, Mélanie Rover, Jacques Borderie
Heartbreaking and intimately shot, Angel Facecovers difficult and thought provoking issues through the eyes of a child. Marion Cotillard proves to be quite a pillar of versatility.
A young woman raises her 8-year-old daughter alone. One night, after a chance encounter in a nightclub, the girl’s mother decides not to return home, leaving her child to her own devices.
"Angel Face is a pungent, realistic drama, portrayed with a claustrophobic camera and a constant use of the close-up, which results in a promising debut" - Cine Premiere
Director: Vanessa Filho
Genre: drama
Who's in it: Marion Cotillard, Ayline Aksoy-Etaix, Alban Lenoir
Quirky and individual, Coincoin and the Extra Humanshas a delightfully simple, Napoleon Dynamite like quality about it. The countryside life has never been so hysterical.
Quinquin is now a grown-up and goes by the nickname of CoinCoin. He hangs out on the Côte D’Opale and attends meetings of the Nationalist Party with his childhood friend Fatso. His old love, Eve, has abandoned him for Corinne. When a strange magma is found near the town, the inhabitants suddenly start to behave very weirdly. Our two heroes, Captain Van Der Weyden and his loyal assistant Carpentier, investigate these alien attacks. The Extra-Human invasion has begun.
"Dumont doubles down on slapstick comedy, from Keatonesque pratfalls and the splattering of cowpats from the heavens on characters' heads to the propensity of the local deputy for driving his car on two wheels." - Sight and Sound
Director: Bruno Dumont
Genre: Comedy
Who's in it: Alane Delhaye, Bernard Pruvost, Philippe Jore
If the trailer is any indication, you'd best get ready for a very extreme, outrageous and creepy celebration where anything goes. Climaxproves that degeneration is simply addicting to watch.
A troupe of young dancers gathers in a remote and empty school building to rehearse. Following an unforgettable opening performance, the troupe begins an all-night celebration that turns nightmarish as the dancers discover they’ve been pounding cups of sangria laced with potent LSD.
"Climax isn't so much about the inevitability of chaos, but about the sadness of watching something beautiful fall apart. And it is never less than electrifying." - Village Voice
Director: Gaspard Noé
Genre: Drama, horror, music
Who's in it: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub
The devastating events of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime is carefully and hearteningly depicted in Denis Do's Funan. Voice actors include Bérenice Bejo and Louis Garrel.
1975, during the Khmer Rouge revolution. Fighting for her own survival, Chou, a young Cambodian mother, looks for her 4-year-old son who was taken away from her by the regime.
"A realistic and moving account of a major 20th century atrocity." - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Denis Do
Genre: Animation
Who's in it: François Baldassare, Bérénice Bejo, Louis Garrel
Knife + Heartis a love story unlike any other. We return to the 1970's, where the porn industry is alive and well.
Paris, summer 1979. Anne is a producer of gay porn at discount. When Loïs, her editor and companion, leaves her, she attempts to reclaim her by turning a film more ambitious with the flamboyant Archibald.
"Viewers that get into the mood -- and definitely those who were seduced by You and the Night -- will find plenty to love here." - indieWire
Director: Yann Gonzalez
Genre: Drama, romance, thriller
Who's in it: Vanessa Paradis, Kate Moran, Nicolas Maury
Sauvagedoesn't shy away from gritty, complicated, and dismal. But in this story of gay male prostitution, there's also tenderness, romance and self awareness.
Leo is 22 and sells his body on the street for a bit of cash. Men come and go, but he stays put... longing for love. He doesn’t know what the future will bring. Then he hits the road. His heart is pounding.
"Raw, uncompromising and yet strangely romantic." - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Camille Vidal-Naquet
Genre: Drama
Who's in it: Félix Maritaud, Eric Bernard, Nicolas Dibla
Shot in just 6 days, My Sonis a thrilling product in a popular genre. The dark and wintery backdrop offers an eerie, unforgiving setting.
The disappearance of his child sends a man on a dark path to find the truth.
"It's got a nervously eerie feel to it that's grounded in Canet's gripping turn as a daddy out to do good for his estranged family." - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Christian Carion
Genre: Drama, thriller
Who's in it: Guillaume Canet, Mélanie Laurent, Olivier de Benoist
