Young French Cinema
March 21-23, 2025
Young French Cinema is one of 15 professional programs from Villa Albertine, a new cultural institution working across disciplines and continents to build a vibrant community of arts and ideas. In this spirit, Young French Cinema offers a selection of today’s best films and filmmakers, from high-profile independent works to impactful dramas and powerful documentaries about the world around us. This selection demonstrates that this young generation—more than ever—shares a global vision and an amazing capacity to combine cultural influences and tackle an incredibly wide range of subject matters.
Young French Cinema: Dahomey
France | 2024 | 68 min. | Mati Diop
March 21, 2025
Blurring the line between fiction and documentary, the Golden Bear-winning new film from Mati Diop (Atlantics) exploring France’s repatriation of Benin’s royal treasures is a poignant commentary on the role of museums and the enduring ghosts of colonialism. Seattle Art Museum Curator of African and Oceanic Art Pam McClusky scheduled to attend and introduce the film. Senegal's Official Oscar Submission (Best International Feature Film).
Young French Cinema: Àma Gloria
France | 2023 | 84 min. | Marie Amachoukeli
March 22, 2025
Young Cléo tags along with her beloved nanny to Cape Verde, learning more about the woman who practically raised her.
Young French Cinema: Marinette
France | 2023 | 95 min. | Virginie Verrier
March 22, 2025
Marinette Pichon is one of the world’s greatest stars of football, having held for almost two decades the record for the number of goals and caps for the French team (men/women combined), before becoming a FIFA Legend by being the first French player to have a career in the US.
Young French Cinema: Little Girl Blue
France | 2023 | 95 min. | Mona Achache
March 22, 2025
After her mother's death, Mona Achache discovers thousands of photos, letters and recordings, but these buried secrets make her disappearance even more of an enigma. Through the power of filmmaking and the beauty of incarnation, she brings her mother back to life to retrace her journey and find out who she really was and what happened to her.
Young French Cinema: Sisterhood
France | 2023 | 101 min. | Nora El Hourch
March 23, 2025
Despite their different social backgrounds, Amina, Djeneba, and Zineb have been friends for as long as they can remember. When Zineb experiences harassment from her brother’s best friend, Amina decides to post a compromising video of him on social media, hoping he will stop. Little does she know that the video will not only jeopardize her safety, but also strain their friendship.
Young French Cinema: Spirit of Ecstasy
France | 2023 | 98 min. | Héléna Klotz
March 23, 2025
Jeanne is 24 years old. She lives on a military base with her father, a police officer, and her little brother and sister. She's determined to make it in the world of finance. Not for the glory or wealth, but because it's leading her on the path to freedom.