The 2023 New Orleans French Film Festival starts March 9th – Here’s the full film lineup

First off, students: tickets for the 2023 New Orleans French Film Festival are just $35. Get on that! 

Second off, the French Film Festival is for anyone that appreciates New Orleans’ French roots and francophile culture. Or maybe you love movies but haven’t yet explored the flavors of French storytelling. Or maybe you love France, but haven’t yet…Anyway, the variety of combinations all say the same thing:

The 26th annual New Orleans French Film Festival is worth your attention. 

In-person films will screen between March 9th-13th or access the virtual film fest  between March 9th-19th. 

Instead of blindly rushing into the Prytania Theatre and diving headfirst into a seat (please don’t), we’ll do some prep work for you. Here’s the full film lineup for the 2023 New Orleans French Film Fest.

Madeleine Collins – Thursday, March 9th – 7:30 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

A woman manages a double life managing two families that spans two countries (sounds completely exhausting). Eventually, the lies and secrets start to splinter and spiral. Writer-director Antoine Barraud. Stars Virginie Efira as Judith. This opening night film will be preceded by a live musical performance by Bruce Sunpie Barnes at 7 p.m.

The Art of Silence (L’art du silence) – Friday, March 10th – 6:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

A documentary about the life of Marcel Marceau, a mime who influenced generations after him. The film interweaves Marceau’s artistry with the personal tragedy of his Jewish father who was killed at Auschwitz. Directed by Maurizius Staerkle Drux.

Other People’s Children (Les enfants des autres) – Friday, March 10th – 8:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

A woman’s growing relationship with a single dad becomes complicated as the relationship causes her to develop an intense yearning for motherhood. Other People’s Lives has all the sound of a stalker drama, but it’s presented as a romance. Also stars Virginie Efira. Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski.

Rose – Saturday, March 11th – 12:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

A story about agency, loss, and fulfillment, 80-year-old Rose is widowed and decides to independently pursue her life’s desires. Stars French film legend Francoise Fabian. This is actress Aurélie Saada’s directorial debut.

French Shorts – Saturday, March 11th – 2:30 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

Three short films spotlight different French communities in America, from Louisiana to Maine, and how these communities maintain their sense of cultural heritage. The Intersection directed by Daniel Quintanilla, Voices of Renewal directed by Autumn Palen, and Tambou directed by Luke Harris (this film won the 2022 #createlouisiana French Culture Grant). Will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Two Tickets to Greece (Les Cyclades) – Saturday, March 11th – 5:15 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

A struggling recently divorced woman embarks on a spontaneous adventure with her reckless childhood friend to the Greek island of Amorgos. Think mid-life crisis tale in a fantasy destination. Stars Olivia Côte and Laure Calamy. Directed by Marc Fitoussi.

The Origin of Evil (L’Origine du mal) – Saturday, March 11th – 7:45 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

This movie gives off such strong Succession vibes – I refuse to accept that this is not the French imagining of Succession. A psychological horror/melodrama that explores the dark secrets of a billionaire’s family. Stars Laure Calamy. Directed by Sébastian Marnier.

Cléo from 5 to 7 (Cléo de 5 á 7) – Sunday, March 12th – 10:00 a.m. CST, Prytania Theatre

This film is part of the Classic Movie Series by Prytania Theatre. A self-indulgent pop singer has two hours to kill awaiting the results of a biopsy and wanders around the side streets of Paris. A classic of the French New Wave. Stars Corinne Marchand. Directed by Agnés Varda.

The Candidate (Municipale) – Sunday, March 12th – Noon CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

A meta-parody film where director Thomas Paulot installs an actor to run for mayor in the small town of Revin in the French Ardennes, and documents the ensuing social consequences.

Everything Went Fine (Tout s’est bien passé) – Sunday, March 12th – 2:30 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

Sophie Marceau plays Bernheim, a woman tasked with wading through the emotions and bureaucracy of helping her father commit medically assisted suicide. Based on the memoir “Everything Went Well” by Emmanuéle Bernheim. Directed by Francois Ozon.

Three Nights a Week (Trois nuits par semaine) – Sunday, March 12th – 5:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

Baptiste meets Cookie Kunty, a youthful Paris drag queen, and is immersed in the world of drag. Baptiste falls deeply in love with Cookie and Quentin, the man behind the costume. An LGBTQ romantic-drama directed by Florent Gouelöu.

Final Cut (Coupez!) – Sunday, March 12th – 7:45 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

A horror parody from Best Picture-winning Director Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist). This was the opening film at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and is a meta zombie B-movie that devolves as each cast and crew member turns into a zombie. Looks like fun chaos!

Full Time (À plein temps) – Monday, March 13th – 6:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

Laure Calamy is all over the French Film Fest – in her third role of festival screenings, Calamy plays a strained mother working at a luxury hotel. When she gets a dream job interview, she must race against a paralyzed Parisian public transport system to get a chance for a better future. Directed by Éric Gravel.

Revoir Paris – Monday, March 13th – 8:00 p.m. CST, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place

The closing film of the 2023 New Orleans French Film Festival, Revoir Paris examines a woman’s journey through healing from a devastating trauma after she is caught in a Paris terrorist attack. Virginie Efira plays Mia, who confronts her terrifying memories to piece her life back together and reclaim her sense of self. Directed by Alice Winocour.

The 2023 New Orleans French Film Fest lineup has something for every genre

Horror parody, metadrama, wealthy billionaire murderous melodrama. Whatever your interests, you can peruse them in French-language with English subtitles at the French Film Fest. 

Buy tickets on the New Orlean Film Society’s website and view a more expansive schedule here to see parties and other events supporting the 2023 New Orleans French Film Festival.

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