FILMS

Part crime thriller, part family comedy, Louis Garrel’s The Innocent masterfully blends humor and suspense to explore the lengths people will go for love and loyalty.  Garrel stars as Abel, a widowed museum educator whose world is upended when his eccentric mother, Sylvie marries Michel, an ex-con and former student in her prison drama class.  Determined to protect Sylvie, Abel begins clumsily surveilling his new stepfather, only to uncover Michel’s return to a life of crime.

When Abel is reluctantly drawn into one of Michel’s risky schemes, he finds an unexpected ally in Clémence, a bold and spirited coworker who inspires him to step out of his emotional comfort zone. As the group’s heist unfolds, the boundaries between performance and reality blur, revealing hidden depths in each character.

The Innocent is a playful yet poignant exploration of love, deception, and self-discovery, showcasing how even the most unexpected roles can transform our lives.

In the heartwarming French comedy Les Petites Victoires, Alice, the primary school teacher and diligent mayor of the quaint village of Kerguen, finds herself stretched to her limits. Already juggling her dual roles with dedication, her life takes a chaotic turn with the arrival of Emile, a fiery sixty-year old who has resolved to conquer his lifelong illiteracy.  Emile’s larger-than-life personality disrupts Alice’s carefully balanced routine, pushing her patience and resourcefulness to the brink. As if managing Emile’s learning journey weren’t enough, Alice is faced with an urgent crisis: saving the beloved school in her village from impending closure.  Through humor, resilience, and unexpected camaraderie, Alice discovers that even small victories can lead to monumental changes in personal lives and the larger village community.  

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