The annual 2018 French Film Festival has returned with a finely curated range of amazing historical dramas, thrillers, comedies, animation, documentaries, and so much more.  

If all those choices sound a bit overwhelming and you’re not quite sure where to start, we’ve provided right here a preview of some of the most acclaimed films of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival.

First up, The Workshop – or L’atelier. Set in the working-class city of La Ciotat, a group of mixed-race students participate in a writing workshop led by a famous Parisian author. Tensions in the classroom ramp up when an intelligent and outspoken student named Antione begins to behave strangely and violently. An atmospheric piece full of dread and unease.

If that sounds a little too grim and heavy and you’re in the mood for something sexier, check out Double Lover – or L’amant Double. Australian film critic David Stratton refers to this one as a “Cheeky and enjoyable melodrama.” Seeking help for her sexual dysfunction, a former model Chloe falls for her psychoanalyst Paul. As their relationship grows, Chloe discovers a dark secret Paul has been harbouring. A delightfully twisted and erotic thriller.

And for something a bit more family friendly, Two Is A Family – or Demain Tout Commence. Samuel is enjoying a hedonistic lifestyle, happily kicking it in the beaches of Cote d’Azur. All of that suddenly goes to hell however when a former lover returns with an infant – his infant, naturally. Colourful, emotional, and a lavish piece of entertainment.

Incidentally, we had a brief chat with Audrey Lureau, the managing director of the Perth side of the French Film Festival. We asked her what the criterial selection of the festival entails.

“They have to of course be French Films released in the year 2017 or 2018. We’re trying to get the best representation of French cinema, which has been particularly good in 2017. We look for all kinds of movies, from drama to documentaries. But we want the best.”

Although Audrey understandably didn’t want to divulge which film in the festival ranked among her favourites, she did list a couple of recommendations.

“C’est la vie is a great comedy. A very beautiful movie we also recently released was See You Up There.” (a hugely budgeted 1920s-set thriller, adapted from a best-selling, award-winning novel by Pierre Lamaitre).

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival will run until April 4. Check out affrenchfilmfestival.org to see what’s playing at a theatre near you.