For their 30th Anniversary, Alliance Francaise French Film Festival have brought together an amazing array of films that are sure to satisfy your inner beret-wearing, culture-loving, croissant-eating self.
Here are the top five films we think you should keep an eye out for at the festival this year.
 High Life (2018)
For the Sci-Fi fan who loves a thrilling space voyage packed with existential weight.
Claire Denis follows her widely-acclaimed Let the Sunshine In (2017) with her first English-language film: a sci-fi thriller where physics and biology orbit a sexually charged voyage into a black hole. One of French cinema’s most provocative filmmakers, Denis’ foray into this genre is as subversive as it is deeply restrained, utterly heart-wrenching and completely mesmerising.
Girl (2018)
An empathetic coming-of-age story that’ll leave you speechless.
A heart-wrenching debut from Flemish Filmmaker, Lukas Dhont, this coming-of-age drama took home the prestigious Camera D’Or at Cannes last year. Following 15 year-old Lara, this film is a strongly empathetic look at Lara’s journey to become a professional ballerina while also coming to terms with the fact that she was born into a boy’s body.
Non-fiction (2018)
A humorous look at modern anxieties that’ll have you laughing right after you reblog that tweet.
After achieving wide spread acclaim for his 2016 ghost-thriller Personal Shopper, Olivier Assayas’ Non-Fiction marks a considerably comedic turn for the director. Juliette Binoche stars as discontented actress, Selena, who tries to convince her husband, a publisher, that her lover’s manuscript is worth publishing. In the process, we watch a razor-sharp examination of contemporary anxieties in a digital age that connects as much as it separates.
Last Year at Marienbad (1963)
A cornerstone of the French New Wave given new life in a 35mm restoration.
This recollective showing of Alain Resnais’ 1963 surrealist masterpiece is a guaranteed cultural throwback. Perfect for the black-and-white film enthusiast at heart, this film is a cornerstone of the French New Wave. Its nightmarish architecture and Chanel-designed costumes stand the test of time; it’s definitely a must-see for those looking to rediscover the classics of French Cinema and extend their festival experience.
Revenge (2018)
For horror lovers who enjoy a twisted gore-fest that is part-Mad Max, part-I Spit On Your Grave.
Coralie Fargeat’s feminist body-horror pic made waves in 2018 when it premiered amidst the height of the ‘#metoo’ movement. Now, the AFFF is giving audiences the chance to catch this thrilling revenge-flick for themselves. In the film, we follow Jen (Matilda Lutz) through an unforgiving desert landscape as she enacts a bloody revenge that is as ultra-violent as it is completely mesmerising.
There is clearly plenty to sink your teeth into during this year’s Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. Honourable mentions also go to the dramatic Western: Sisters, Brothers (2018), starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly; and Jeanne Herry’s heart-wrenching drama about adoption, In Safe Hands (2018).
For a full list of the films on offer this year, and to buy tickets, head to the AFFFF home page.
The Festival is running from March 5th to April 10th so get in quick.
Let us know which film from the AFFFF you’re looking forward to seeing, down in the comments.
