At the cinema: “My France to me” with Fanny Ardant
Alone in her large bourgeois apartment, France decides to welcome a migrant. He is entrusted with a very young Afghan, Reza, who is weakened and mute. France then installs him in the room of his son (who has gone to live abroad) and forms very concrete life plans for him. But Reza has his own desires, obviously, and France has difficulty accepting him… The quality of the performers pleasantly carries this nuanced story, inspired by a true story. Special mention for the luminous presence of Nawid Elham, who takes his first steps in cinema, and never does too much. By Benoît Cohen, with Fanny Ardant, Nawid Elham, Pierre Deladonchamps.
“Her Father’s Daughter”, a family comedy
Etienne raised his daughter Rosa alone. They share a beautiful bond together, tinged with humor and poetry. At 16, Rosa wants to study in another city and her father finds this very destabilizing. Life without your daughter is empty. What pleases here is the style of Erwan Le Duc (cf. Partridge), the offbeat fantasy with which he imbues every little scene. An original charm. By Erwan Le Duc, with Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Céleste Brunnquell.
“The Velveteen Rabbit”, stream on Apple TV
This adaptation of a classic of children’s literature plays on the mixture of real characters and two different animation techniques. The result is overflowing with charm, while also saying profound things about emotional bonds.
“Anonymous mothers”, on Arte
Gwendoline Raisson and Magali Le Huche bring to the screen their comic strip about tired mothers who empty their bags. Cute, funny and very fair! From December 18, 2023 at 8:50 p.m.
Not to be missed at the theater: “The Wolf’s House”
Building on the public and critical success of his play The Turing machine (awarded 4 Molières in 2019), author and actor Benoît Solès returns with a completely different story. He imagines the meeting between Jack London and Ed Morrell, a prisoner placed in solitary confinement who inspired his book The Wanderer of the Stars. Their exchange resonates with many themes, which are still very current. But above all, without revealing too much, the piece contains a monologue by Benoît Solès whose intensity can only impress. A deserved success. Until January 28 at the Théâtre Riva Gauche, 6 Rue de la Gaité, 75 014 Paris.
“One evening among a thousand”, the new album by Marie-Paule Belle
No need for a thousand different sounds, when there is already so much richness in a piano, a voice and texts. In complete intimacy, in complete complicity, Marie-Paule delivers fifteen new songs where she revives bright memories (Good weather in Saint-Germain, With you I often laughed), plays with his fantasy (Love and allergies), or talks about the times (Saying yes, saying no). It’s good to rediscover this unique sensitivity, between mischief and nostalgia, full of beautiful nuances. Album One evening among a thousand (Universal), and in concert in Paris at the Théâtre de Passy from January 4 to 14, 2024.