Overview
Two months. Fifteen cities. Twenty-one films that'll make you feel like you've travelled to France from your cinema seat. That's what's on offer to New Zealand's movie lovers when the French Film Festival Aotearoa returns for 2022 this June and July — whisking you off to Europe while you're munching popcorn in your local theatre.
There's no shortage of highlights from the fest's 16th annual lineup, which does what the best festival programs always do: offers a little bit of something for everyone. Fancy laughing along to the latest French comedies? That's covered. Diving into acclaimed dramas? That's on the lineup, too. Eager to check out the latest flicks from impressive filmmakers? Add that to your list as well.
The fest's dates vary depending on the city — with its full season running from Wednesday, June 1–Wednesday, July 27 — but there's no shortage of highlights, no matter where you'll be heading to the movies. Standouts include the latest film in the OSS 117 spy spoof series, OSS 117: From Africa With Love, once again starring The Artist Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin; François Ozon's Everything Went Fine, which sees the Summer of 85 filmmaker tackle the right to die with dignity; Murder Party, a murder-mystery with big Cluedo vibes; and Love Songs for Tough Guys, a rom-com with an ensemble cast led by François Damiens (La Famille Bélier, aka the film that this year's Oscar-winner CODA remade) and Vanessa Paradis (Knife+Heart).
Or, there's also stage-to-screen World War II drama Farewell, Mr Haffmann and political thriller Kompromat, both of which star Gilles Lelouche (We'll End Up Together); A Mermaid in Paris, a romantic fantasy set on the banks of the Seine; The Kitchen Brigade, about a chef attempting to open her own restaurant; and The Young Lovers, with a stacked cast that spans Fanny Ardant (La Belle Époque), Melvil Poupaud (By the Grace of God) and Cécile de France (The French Dispatch).
This year's event comes after the French Film Festival Aotearoa enjoyed its most successful year yet in 2021, which means one key thing: if you love French cinema, prepare to have plenty of company this time around.
THE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL AOTEAROA 2022 DATES:
North Island
Auckland: June 1–19
Tauranga: June 2–19
Masterton: June 2–19
Palmerston North: June 2–19
Hamilton: 2 June 2–22
Wellington: June 7–26
Matakana: June 9–19
Napier: June 23–July 10
Havelock North: June 22–July 10
New Plymouth: June 30–July 14
South Island
Nelson: June 8–26
Dunedin: June 16–July 3
Christchurch: June 23–July 10
Arrowtown: July 6–14
Wanaka: July 14–27
The French Film Festival Aotearoa tours New Zealand from Wednesday, June 1–Wednesday, July 27. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.