Identity / Identité French Film Festival
What makes us who we are? How do our experiences shape us? Six French films explore these questions across a number of times, places, and genres.
About the Festival
Thanks to an Albertine Cinémathèque grant from Villa Albertine, the Cultural Services of the French Consulate, we are delighted to screen six French films on campus. Selected by an interdisciplinary committee, the films showcase the richness of French cinema and encourage cross-cultural dialogue. The festival offers the USA community a chance to experience French cinema while exploring new perspectives on culture and storytelling. The films are free and open to the public, but not all films may be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
Films and Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 15 6PM - HUMB 170
A Woman is a Woman (Une Femme est une femme)
In Jean-Luc Godard’s New Wave comedy “A Woman Is a Woman(1961),” Angela (Anna Karina) wants a child, but when her boyfriend refuses, she turns to his best friend. Packed with anarchic humor, musical surprises and cinematic in-jokes, the film won a Berlin jury prize and earned Karina the best actress award. Dr. Becky McLaughlin (English) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by the USA English Department and the USA Film Society
Learn more and view the trailer here
Thursday, October 16 6PM - HUMB 160
The Beast (La Bête)
In 2044, artificial intelligence governs a society where humans erase their emotions, but Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) is haunted by past-life romances with Louis (George MacKay) across centuries. Director Bertrand Bonello’s visually striking sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James’ “The Beast in the Jungle,” blends historical drama and futuristic dread in a meditation on love, fate and human connection. Dr. Max Romanowski (Communication) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by Phi Sigma Iota
Learn more and view the trailer here
Friday, October 17 6PM - HUMB 150
The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte-Cristo)
In 1815 Marseille, sailor Edmond Dantès is betrayed, falsely accused of treason and imprisoned with trial, losing the chance to marry his beloved Mercedes. After 14 years, he escapes, claims a hidden fortune and reinvents himself as the Count of Monte Cristo to exact an elaborate, soul-testing revenge on those who wronged him. Susan McCready (MCLL) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of War and Memory
Learn more and view the trailer here
Wednesday, October 22 6PM - HUMB 170
It’s Not Me (C’est pas moi)
In his latest film, French auteur Leos Carax channels the spirit of Jean-Luc Godard, blending homage, self-reflection and a century of cinema into a playful yet probing essay on power, politics and image-making. Known for works from “Boy Meets Girl” to “Annette,” Carax crafts a wry, deeply personal meditation that straddles reality and artifice. Dr. Pat Cesarini (English) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by the Alliance Française of Mobile
Learn more and view the trailer here
Thursday, October 23 6PM - Student Center Terrace
Five Devils (Les Cinq Diables)
Eight-year-old Vicky (Sally Dramé) can recreate any scent, a gift that draws her into her mother Joanne’s (Adèle Exarchopoulos) tumultuous past when her estranged aunt returns to their mountain town. In “The Five Devils,” filmmaker Léa Mysius crafts a bewitching, imaginative fable of family secrets and queer romance. Mr. Joshua Peek (Film festival intern) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by the SGA
Learn more and view the trailer here
Friday, October 24, 6PM - USA Honor's College Seamen's Bethel
Flow
“Flow” follows a cat along with a band of other animals on a perilous voyage for dry land after a great flood transforms the planet. Direction Gints Zilbalodis delivers a visually stunning animated adventure that doubles as a meditation on the environmental fragility, friendship and resilience. This film is suitable for all audiences. Ms. Emma Milling (USA Animation Association) will introduce the film.
Co-sponsored by the USA Honors College
Learn more and view the trailer here
Our Sponsors
Villa Albertine, USA Department of Modern and Classical Lanugages and Literature, Alliance Française of Mobile, USA Department of English, USA Honor's College, Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society, SGA, USA Film Society, and the Center for the Study of War and Memory.
Albertine Cinémathèque is part of the French for All initiative by Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation and is made possible by the support of the Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image Animée (CNC).
Special Thanks
To Joshua Peek, Modern Languages and Communication major, who has worked as the festival's intern. Josh designed the poster, the social media assets, and other marketing materials. He assisted with many and varied tasks to make the festival a success.
To Josie DiCapua, Ellen Harrington, Alyxandria Hicks, Zoya Khan, Julien Lartigue, Sondra Maniatis, Doug Marshall, David Messenger, Anna Shirey, Eleanor ter Horst, Sarah Waddell, Andrzej Wierzbicki, and the USA French Club for your material and moral support.
Film Festival Selection Committee
Pat Cesarini, Delaney Drury, Susan McCready, Becky McLaughlin, and Max Romanowski