Akaroa French Film Festival 23, Ethels Cinema, Café & Bar - Akaroa

Akaroa French Film Festival 23

Akaroa French Film Festival
5 - 11 October 23

Join us for an unforgettable cinematic journey through the heart of France. Coinciding with the Akaroa French Festival celebrations, Ethels Cinema Akaroa is hosting its own week-long inaugural Akaroa French Film Festival.

We’re showcasing a diverse and exciting array of French-speaking cinema on the big screen in Akaroa including the best festival favourites, exclusive new releases and classic masterpieces from black and white to vivid colour!

Over the week there will be fifteen curated French films, a mix of day and night screenings, with six films being shown on each day. Following the film festival format there will be only two screenings of most films. Some, however, are on general release and will be played daily.

A number of these films have not premiered in New Zealand yet, Ethels is proud to be able to debut them for the wider public. Look out for the festival flyers around town or visit the Ethels website for the full festival programme and ticketing options.

>>> DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

AFFF - Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour
1967

Experience a world where desire knows no bounds in this surreal and erotic late-sixties "Belle de Jour." Join Séverine Serizy as she embarks on a thrilling journey of forbidden passions and hidden secrets that will leave you spellbound.

Classic ◦ Erotic ◦ French ◦ Drama

AFFF - Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour
1967

Experience a world where desire knows no bounds in this surreal and erotic late-sixties "Belle de Jour." Join Séverine Serizy as she embarks on a thrilling journey of forbidden passions and hidden secrets that will leave you spellbound.

Classic ◦ Erotic ◦ French ◦ Drama

AFFF - Breathless (À bout de souffle)

Breathless (À bout de souffle)
1960

Experience the timeless allure of love and rebellion in 'Breathless,' a cinematic masterpiece that captivates with its intoxicating blend of passion and crime. Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg ignite the screen in this iconic French New Wave classic, where every stolen moment is a breathless journey through the streets of Paris.

Classic ◦ French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama

AFFF - Breathless (À bout de souffle)

Breathless (À bout de souffle)
1960

Experience the timeless allure of love and rebellion in 'Breathless,' a cinematic masterpiece that captivates with its intoxicating blend of passion and crime. Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg ignite the screen in this iconic French New Wave classic, where every stolen moment is a breathless journey through the streets of Paris.

Classic ◦ French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama

AFFF - Everybody Loves Jeanne

Everybody Loves Jeanne (Tout le monde aime Jeanne)
2022

Discover the enchanting world of "Everybody Loves Jeanne," where love, laughter, and a dash of mischief collide in the heart of Paris. Join Jeanne on her whimsical journey as she captures the hearts of everyone she meets in this delightful French film that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Everybody Loves Jeanne

Everybody Loves Jeanne (Tout le monde aime Jeanne)
2022

Discover the enchanting world of "Everybody Loves Jeanne," where love, laughter, and a dash of mischief collide in the heart of Paris. Join Jeanne on her whimsical journey as she captures the hearts of everyone she meets in this delightful French film that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Goliath

Goliath
2022

Patrick is a tenacious lawyer specialising in environmental law. France is a schoolteacher who becomes an activist after her husband develops cancer from exposure to a pesticide. Mathias is an ambitious lobbyist working for an international chemical corporation. The paths of these characters collide while the corporation fights to prevent the truth from being revealed.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama

AFFF - Goliath

Goliath
2022

Patrick is a tenacious lawyer specialising in environmental law. France is a schoolteacher who becomes an activist after her husband develops cancer from exposure to a pesticide. Mathias is an ambitious lobbyist working for an international chemical corporation. The paths of these characters collide while the corporation fights to prevent the truth from being revealed.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama

AFFF - November

November
2022

The all-star thriller 'NOVEMBER' is an edge-of-your seat thriller that explores the perspective of the lead investigators of the French anti-terrorism services, working against the clock in the aftermath of the 2015 attacks across Paris. In a race against the clock, they must find the perpetrators of the attacks as quickly as possible before they can strike again, travelling across Europe and beyond in one of the biggest manhunts in history. Fans of The Bureau and the iconic ‘policier’ thrillers of the 70s should not miss NOVEMBER.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama ◦ Thriller

AFFF - November

November
2022

The all-star thriller 'NOVEMBER' is an edge-of-your seat thriller that explores the perspective of the lead investigators of the French anti-terrorism services, working against the clock in the aftermath of the 2015 attacks across Paris. In a race against the clock, they must find the perpetrators of the attacks as quickly as possible before they can strike again, travelling across Europe and beyond in one of the biggest manhunts in history. Fans of The Bureau and the iconic ‘policier’ thrillers of the 70s should not miss NOVEMBER.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Drama ◦ Thriller

AFFF - Purple Noon (Plein Soleil)

Purple Noon (Plein soleil)
1960

Golden Globe nominee Alain Delon (The Leopard) stars in this 1960’s French crime thriller adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom Ripley is sent to Europe by Mr. Greenleaf to fetch his spoiled, playboy son, Philippe, and bring him back home to the States. Tom kills Philippe, assumes his identity, and lives the life of a rich playboy...

Classic ◦ French ◦ Mystery ◦ Thriller

AFFF - Purple Noon (Plein Soleil)

Purple Noon (Plein soleil)
1960

Golden Globe nominee Alain Delon (The Leopard) stars in this 1960’s French crime thriller adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom Ripley is sent to Europe by Mr. Greenleaf to fetch his spoiled, playboy son, Philippe, and bring him back home to the States. Tom kills Philippe, assumes his identity, and lives the life of a rich playboy...

Classic ◦ French ◦ Mystery ◦ Thriller

AFFF - Rise

Rise (En corps)
2022

Elise, a very promising classical dancer, is injured during a performance at 26 years old. Although she's told she will no longer be able to dance, she will try to find a new direction in contemporary dance. The path to physical and emotional recovery will lead her away from Paris to a picturesque location in Brittany. A heartwarming and inspiring story that tells us how sometimes, the worst thing that could happen may turn out to be the best.

French ◦ Comedy ◦ Drama

AFFF - Rise

Rise (En corps)
2022

Elise, a very promising classical dancer, is injured during a performance at 26 years old. Although she's told she will no longer be able to dance, she will try to find a new direction in contemporary dance. The path to physical and emotional recovery will lead her away from Paris to a picturesque location in Brittany. A heartwarming and inspiring story that tells us how sometimes, the worst thing that could happen may turn out to be the best.

French ◦ Comedy ◦ Drama

AFFF - Simone: Woman of the Century

Simone: Woman of the Century (Simone, le voyage du siècle)
2021

Explores the life of Simone Veil -- the famous French figure who survived the Holocaust and went on to become a leading politician, human rights campaigner, and feminist. An intimate and epic portrait of an extraordinary woman who eminently challenged and transformed her era: her humanist message is still keenly relevant today.

French ◦ History ◦ Drama ◦ Biography

AFFF - Simone: Woman of the Century

Simone: Woman of the Century (Simone, le voyage du siècle)
2021

Explores the life of Simone Veil -- the famous French figure who survived the Holocaust and went on to become a leading politician, human rights campaigner, and feminist. An intimate and epic portrait of an extraordinary woman who eminently challenged and transformed her era: her humanist message is still keenly relevant today.

French ◦ History ◦ Drama ◦ Biography

AFFF - The Innocent

The Innocent (L'innocent)
2022

When Abel learns that his mother is about to marry a man in prison, he freaks out. With the help of his best friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect her. But meeting his new stepfather may well offer him a new perspective. With solid performances, it’s a fun and fast-moving French rom-com crime caper.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Crime ◦ Comedy

AFFF - The Innocent

The Innocent (L'innocent)
2022

When Abel learns that his mother is about to marry a man in prison, he freaks out. With the help of his best friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect her. But meeting his new stepfather may well offer him a new perspective. With solid performances, it’s a fun and fast-moving French rom-com crime caper.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Crime ◦ Comedy

AFFF - The Kids Are Back

The Kids Are Back (Chacun chez soi)
2020

A retired married couple planned on spending the year travelling abroad on their big trip. Instead, their 27-year-old daughter and her boyfriend lose their apartment and move in, derailing any travel plans. A heartwarming and hilarious comedy that explores the ups and downs of being stuck under one roof.

French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - The Kids Are Back

The Kids Are Back (Chacun chez soi)
2020

A retired married couple planned on spending the year travelling abroad on their big trip. Instead, their 27-year-old daughter and her boyfriend lose their apartment and move in, derailing any travel plans. A heartwarming and hilarious comedy that explores the ups and downs of being stuck under one roof.

French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - The Origin of Evil

The Origin Of Evil (L'origine du mal)
2022

Stéphane, a fish cannery worker on the verge of financial collapse attempts to reconnect with her wealthy, estranged biological father and his new family. Stéphane embarks on an extended visit in hopes of getting to know her father, she also becomes entangled with the strange family who share a tense existence in his beautifully appointed mansion by the sea. A wildly entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Thriller ◦ Drama

AFFF - The Origin of Evil

The Origin Of Evil (L'origine du mal)
2022

Stéphane, a fish cannery worker on the verge of financial collapse attempts to reconnect with her wealthy, estranged biological father and his new family. Stéphane embarks on an extended visit in hopes of getting to know her father, she also becomes entangled with the strange family who share a tense existence in his beautifully appointed mansion by the sea. A wildly entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

French ◦ Crime ◦ Thriller ◦ Drama

AFFF - The Tasting

The Tasting (La dégustation)
2022

The Tasting is a very enjoyable romantic comedy about two awkward single people forming an unlikely relationship while trying to reconcile their own issues and pasts. Jacques is divorced and runs a small winery on the verge of bankruptcy. Hortense, determined not to end up single and involved in the association, walks into his store one day and decides to sign up for a wine tasting workshop.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Comedy

AFFF - The Tasting

The Tasting (La dégustation)
2022

The Tasting is a very enjoyable romantic comedy about two awkward single people forming an unlikely relationship while trying to reconcile their own issues and pasts. Jacques is divorced and runs a small winery on the verge of bankruptcy. Hortense, determined not to end up single and involved in the association, walks into his store one day and decides to sign up for a wine tasting workshop.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Two Tickets to Greece

Two Tickets To Greece (Les Cyclades)
2022

When childhood friends Magalie and Blandine reunite after many years, they decide to finally take their dream vacation to the Greece Islands. The two will take the trip they always dreamed of as teenagers, to Amorgos, the amazing location where Luc Besson's The Big Blue was shot. TWO TICKETS TO GREECE is an out-and-out crowd-pleaser, a breezily delightful tale of female camaraderie, stoked by laughter, tears and, of course, great scenery.

French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Two Tickets to Greece

Two Tickets To Greece (Les Cyclades)
2022

When childhood friends Magalie and Blandine reunite after many years, they decide to finally take their dream vacation to the Greece Islands. The two will take the trip they always dreamed of as teenagers, to Amorgos, the amazing location where Luc Besson's The Big Blue was shot. TWO TICKETS TO GREECE is an out-and-out crowd-pleaser, a breezily delightful tale of female camaraderie, stoked by laughter, tears and, of course, great scenery.

French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Umami

Umami
2022

Following a near-death experience, France's leading chef Gabriel Carvin (Gérard Depardieu) throws himself into a quest seeking the flavour that has confounded his life since he was defeated by a Japanese chef's bowl of noodles as a young man. Now this culinary genius must travel to snow-caked Sapporo to discover for himself why his immense skills were surpassed back then.

Delicious ◦ French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Umami

Umami
2022

Following a near-death experience, France's leading chef Gabriel Carvin (Gérard Depardieu) throws himself into a quest seeking the flavour that has confounded his life since he was defeated by a Japanese chef's bowl of noodles as a young man. Now this culinary genius must travel to snow-caked Sapporo to discover for himself why his immense skills were surpassed back then.

Delicious ◦ French ◦ Comedy

AFFF - Waiting for Bojangles

Waiting for Bojangles (En attendant Bojangles)
2021

A young boy, Gary, lives with his eccentric parents Camille and Georges, and an exotic bird in a Parisian apartment -- each night, Camille and Georges dance lovingly to their favourite song, "Mr. Bojangles." At home, there is only room for fun, fantasy and friends. But as his mesmerising and unpredictable mother descends deeper into her own mind, it is up to Gary and Georges to keep her safe.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Drama

AFFF - Waiting for Bojangles

Waiting for Bojangles (En attendant Bojangles)
2021

A young boy, Gary, lives with his eccentric parents Camille and Georges, and an exotic bird in a Parisian apartment -- each night, Camille and Georges dance lovingly to their favourite song, "Mr. Bojangles." At home, there is only room for fun, fantasy and friends. But as his mesmerising and unpredictable mother descends deeper into her own mind, it is up to Gary and Georges to keep her safe.

French ◦ Romantic ◦ Drama