CinéSalon Series

Valérie Donzelli: The Triple Threat

Tuesdays, June 7–July 26, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall
Free for FIAF Members!

For the past ten years, director, screenwriter, and actress Valérie Donzelli has stood out in French cinema for her unique whimsical style. Her films are influenced by the spirit of experimentation of the French New Wave, combined with the physical comedy of Jacques Tati and Buster Keaton.

Her filmography is infused with eccentricities, such as spoken-sung songs and poetry, to evoke deep and sometimes painful topics, as seen in The Queen of Hearts. As an actress, she often is drawn to portrayals of wacky, intense, and endearing characters, such as in Notre Dame. This retrospective gives New York audiences an opportunity to take a deep dive into the work of this imaginative filmmaker and actress with award winning films such as Declaration of War (2011) and rarely screened films like Longwave (2013).

Special Screening on Monday, June 13: Meet Valérie Donzelli and co-star Virginie Ledoyen at an in-person Q&A following the US premiere of Donzelli’s debut TV series Nona and Her Daughters.


Past Screenings


CinéSalon

Notre Dame

Tuesday, June 7, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Valérie Donzelli, 2019
In French with English subtitles

In the last film shot inside Notre Dame before the terrible fire of 2019, Valérie Donzelli directs and stars as Maud Crayon, a struggling architect and mom of two, with an ex-husband who she can’t seem to shake.

CinéSalon

Longwave

Les Grandes Ondes (À l'Ouest)

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Lionel Baier, 2012
In French and Portuguese with English subtitles

Set in April 1974, two radio journalists are sent to Portugal to report on Swiss aid to the country. Bob, a technician nearing retirement, accompanies them in his faithful Volkswagen van. But in Portugal, nothing goes as planned: tension is at its peak between Julie, a feminist, and Cauvin, a cunning war reporter.

CinéSalon

Martha… Martha

Tuesday, June 21, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Sandrine Veysset, 2001
In French with English subtitles

Having received a frosty reception when visiting her parents, Martha drags her husband Reymond and infant daughter Lise to Spain, to renew her acquaintance with her estranged sister Marie.

CinéSalon

The Queen of Hearts

La Reine des pommes

Tuesday, June 28, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Valérie Donzelli, 2009
In French with English subtitles

Thirty-something Adèle is devastated following a painful breakup. With no close friends or family, her distant cousin, Rachel, reluctantly takes her in and graciously attempts to salvage Adèle’s professional and love life.

CinéSalon

Marguerite & Julien

Tuesday, July 5, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


New Date!

Dir. Valérie Donzelli, 2015
In French with English subtitles

Julien and Marguerite de Ravalet, son and daughter of the Lord of Tourlaville, have loved each other tenderly since childhood. As they grow up, their affection veers toward voracious passion.

CinéSalon

Hand in Hand

Main dans la main

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Valérie Donzelli, 2012
In French with English subtitles

When Hélène Marchal and Joachim Fox meet, their lives couldn’t be more different. Hélène, a bit of a snob, runs the prestigious Paris Opera ballet school. Joachim, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris, works for a mirror maker. Upon a chance meeting, a strange power pulls the opposites together. From the moment they meet – and against their will – Hélène and Joachim begin a lovers’ dance they are powerless to stop.

CinéSalon

Belleville Tokyo

Tuesday, July 19, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


Dir. Élise Girard, 2010
In French with English subtitles

Marie, pregnant, is unexpectedly abandoned by her boyfriend, Julien, for another woman. Marie, refusing to be a victim, finds renewed enjoyment in her work at an art house theatre specializing in American repertory film. When Julien eventually returns to Marie, she must make the choice whether to take him back.

CinéSalon

Declaration of War

La Guerre est déclarée

Tuesday, July 26, 2022
4pm & 7:30pm

FIAF Florence Gould Hall


New Date!

Dir. Valérie Donzelli, 2010
In French with English subtitles

A young Parisian couple wages war on their newborn son’s grim medical diagnosis and leans on friends and family to support them in their struggle to prevent the tragedy from destroying their relationship. Directly inspired by true events in their real lives, Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaim bring to the screen their fight to keep their toddler son alive.