France will make a strong showing at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, represented by four films in competition, directed by a total of six filmmakers—including two sibling pairs. The festival is taking place until September 7, 2024, and will see the French cinema industry well-represented, not only by these films but also by several international co-productions.
This year’s French contingent includes directors Zoran and Ludovic Boukherma, Muriel and Delphine Coulin, Wang Bing, and Emmanuel Mouret. While the Boukherma and Coulin siblings are new to the Venice Festival, Wang Bing and Emmanuel Mouret are familiar with its prestigious platform. Bing previously competed in Venice in 2010 with his feature film The Ditch, and Mouret presented Shall We Kiss? in the Giornate degli Autori section in 2007.
These six filmmakers are carrying the French flag in this year’s competition. Additionally, there will be numerous French minority co-productions represented by international directors such as Walter Salles, Dea Kulumbegashvili, and Athina Rachel Tsangari.
Their Children After Them, directed by Zoran and Ludovic Boukherma, is an adaptation of Nicolas Mathieu’s novel of the same name, which won the Prix Goncourt in 2018. This romantic drama, set in eastern France, stars Paul Kircher, Angelina Woreth, Gilles Lellouche, and Ludivine Sagnier.
The Quiet Son, directed by Muriel and Delphine Coulin, follows a father, played by Vincent Lindon, as he grapples with his son’s radicalization. The Coulin sisters made their mark with their debut film The Stopover in 2015, and The Quiet Son promises to be a powerful follow-up.
Trois Amies by Emmanuel Mouret explores the lives of three women, portrayed by Camille Cottin, Sara Forestier, and India Hair, as they search for love. Mouret’s return to Venice is highly anticipated given his previous success with Shall We Kiss?.
Finally, Youth (Homecoming) by Wang Bing is the third and final chapter in his trilogy focusing on contemporary Chinese youth. This film returns to the textile workshops featured in the first installment to document a wedding. The trilogy has been well-received internationally, with the first film Youth (Spring) competing at Cannes in 2023 and the second, Youth (Hard Times), competing at Locarno this year.
Beyond the competition, French cinema will be highlighted in other sections of the festival. Legendary director Claude Lelouch is presenting his latest film, Finalement, out of competition, featuring Kad Merad in the lead role. Lelouch will also receive the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award in recognition of his illustrious career.
Also out of competition is Things We Said Today, a Franco-Romanian documentary by Andrei Ujică, and several minority co-productions directed by filmmakers such as Amos Gitaï, Cristina Comencini, and Fabrice Du Welz. Du Welz’s suspenseful film Maldoror, featuring Anthony Bajon, promises to be particularly intriguing.
French Films in the Orizzonti Section
The Orizzonti section will include three French or French minority co-produced films: new works by Carine Tardieu and Mehdi M. Barsaoui, and the debut feature by Anne-Sophie Bailly, titled Mon Inséparable. This film stars Laure Calamy as a mother caring for her adult disabled son.
The spirit of French cinema will also be felt with the presence of renowned actress Isabelle Huppert, who will preside over the official competition jury.
Venice Immersive and French XR Works
On August 30, Unifrance is hosting a special event on the XR Island to honor the 11 French immersive works selected for the Venice Immersive section. The event will include the presentation of a report on the export of French immersive works in 2023. Additionally, the French Ambassador to Italy, Martin Briens, along with audiovisual attaché Rémi Guittet, will announce the winner of the third edition of the XR Farnese-Medici Residency. The ceremony will be followed by a welcome cocktail from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
