French Film Festival Concludes Successful Run
The Albertine Cinémathèque Film Festival at Boston University has just wrapped up another successful season! Co-organizers Fargol Khosravanifard, Eleonora Mancuso, and Kara Saar were delighted with how the seven Francophone films selected this year brought their theme — Monsters: The Beasts Among Us — to life and were pleased to see the screening room filled with attendees from both the BU community and beyond.
This year’s theme examined the monstrous, yet often banal, threats posed by patriarchy, technology, and political extremism. The festival opened with La Bête (2023), directed by Bertrand Bonello, a haunting sci-fi drama about love, fear, and identity across timelines, starring Léa Seydoux. The festival concluded with L’Envol (2023) by Pietro Marcello, a lyrical period drama set in post-WWI rural France, following a young woman’s journey through love, resilience, and societal change.
Among the audience favorites was Le Règne Animal (2023), directed by Thomas Cailley, a captivating sci-fi drama about a father and son navigating a world where people are mysteriously transforming into animals, exploring themes of identity and survival. This screening was followed by an engaging discussion with French and Film Studies Professor Jennifer Cazenave and French author Victor Dixen, a two-time winner of Le Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, in partnership with MIT’s French Department.
The festival also presented Banel & Adama (2023) by Ramata-Toulaye Sy, about a young couple whose defiance of tradition leads to unforeseen consequences in a rural Senegalese village. This screening, held in collaboration with CineMAfriq by the BU Library, included a fascinating post-screening discussion.
The festival continued with Les filles d’Olfa (2023), directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. This documentary-drama examines themes of family, resilience, and radicalization in Tunisia through the story of Olfa and her daughters. The screening was followed by an insightful discussion with World Languages Professors Salima Slimane and Roberta Micallef.
We look forward to continuing this festival next year and bringing Francophone cinema to new audiences while fostering meaningful conversations in our community.