Announcing the return of our annual celebration of the Francophone world’s most distinct new cinematic voices, programmed and presented in partnership with France’s leading festival for first films—the Premiers Plans Festival of Angers, France. Between November 10 and 13, cinephiles will have a unique opportunity to see new French-language films including festival favorites and award-winners.
Series passes are available for New French Cinema Week at a 15% off discount from the list price. Passes include admission into all screenings and the opening reception.
The New French Cinema Week opening reception will take place on November 10 from 6:00-7:30 PM, and will include wines from the Angers region (Loire Valley) and complimentary French bites. The reception is open to those attending the opening night film, THE WORLD AFTER US, and AFS members.
New French Cinema at AFS is part of Angers France Week in Austin, presented by Austin Angers Sister Cities.
THE WORLD AFTER US (LE MONDE APRÈS NOUS)
Thursday, November 10, 7:30 PM
A breathless Parisian romance that owes as much to Éric Rohmer as John Cassavetes, Louda Ben Salah-Cazanas’s debut feature is an immersive journey back to first love. A penniless aspiring writer Labidi, lives on the floor of his friend’s not-quite-studio apartment in Paris. Labidi has a promising start with an optioned novel, but no income. When he meets the girl of his dreams (played by talented French cinema it-girl, Louise Chevillotte), Labidi puts the pieces together for an ideal romance that he can’t quite afford. Ben Salah-Cazanas’ skillfull direction offers an authentic experience of today’s Paris from the perspective of a young artist. A competition selection of the Premiers Plans Festival, and winner of Best Film at the Champs-Elysées Film Festival.
RODEO
Friday, November 11, 8:00 PM
A riveting tale of speed, dreams and revenge, set in a world of French motorbike thieves. Director Lola Quivoron’s stunning debut feature took home a Un Certain Regard jury prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
DRAWING BY DRAWING: ANIMATED NON-FICTION SHORTS EXCHANGE FROM ANGERS AND AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Saturday, November 12, 7:00 PM
Free program! Inspired by the artistic exchange game known to the surrealists as “exquisite corpse,” students from Angers École d’Art et de Design illustrated and animated sonoric excerpts created by students at Austin Community College. The results are moving, striking, and inspiring, with the goal of communicating across borders through self-expression beautifully realized. This is a free, ticketed 30-minute program presented by ACC professor John McMinn.
MAGNETIC BEATS (LES MAGNETIQUES)
Saturday, November 12, 8:15 PM
1980s France- Mitterand has just been elected president, and youthful optimism about the country’s collective future is surging. But in Brittany, teenaged Phillippe only has ears for New Wave music, and eyes for his brother’s beautiful girlfriend. The possibility of being drafted by the French army, and sent to West Berlin, certainly throws a wrench into his plans. An expansive, romantic adventure set amidst the heights of 80s counter-culture, this excellent indie won France’s César award for Best First Film.
GOOD MOTHER (BONNE MÈRE)
Sunday, November 13, 2:00 PM
Actor/director Hafsia Herzi’s second feature is a riveting, emotional study of family dynamics, supported by marvelous naturalistic performances by first-timers street cast in Marseilles. A single full-time working mother, Nora (Halima Benhamed) takes multiple cleaning and caretaking jobs to support her live-in children and grandchildren. When her incarcerated eldest son’s legal fees mount, various members of the family personally take on the responsibility for finding fash cash. Winner of the Ensemble Prize for performances in the Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
SAINT OMER
Sunday, November 13, 4:30 PM
Inspired by true events, SAINT OMER is a thoroughly engrossing examination of privilege, motherhood, and the myths we seek out to explain the inexplicable. Co-penned alongside Amrita David and critically-acclaimed novelist Marie NDiaye, Alice Diop’s feature debut, the official French submission to the International Feature Oscar race, announces the arrival of the filmmaker as a considerable talent to watch.
Thanks to our series partners
