0°C | Tuesday April 29, 2025 
3 March 2025
By James Mullan
Thirty fantastique films are set to grace the screens of the iconic Hayden Orpheum as part of the 36th edition of the French Film Festival.
Running from 4 March to 27 April 2025, the festival invites Sydneysiders on a cultural journey featuring several Australian premieres, passionate stories, compelling biographies of France’s most iconic artists, and thought-provoking debuts from a new generation of French filmmakers and actors.
Frédéric Alliod, CEO of Alliance Française, the French culture and language institution that organises the annual festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to introduce Australian audiences not only to the iconic figures of French cinema but also to a new wave of emerging directors—many of whom are women—who are shaping the future of French filmmaking.”
Opening night will be on Tuesday, 4 March, at 6:30 pm with the Australian premiere of Monsieur Aznavour.
The film is already a huge hit worldwide, selling almost 2 million tickets. Starring Golden Globe-nominated actor Tahar Rahim, it tells the story of the rise of one of France’s most iconic musicians, Charles Aznavour.
Born in Paris to music-loving Armenian refugees, Aznavour’s early life was marked by poverty and struggle. Facing the adversities of German occupation, racism and mockery of his voice, the film follows the slow rise of the talented singer. The costumes, sets, and film aesthetic transport the audience back to wartime and post-war France, offering a truly fascinating historical experience through the compelling biography of one of the era’s biggest music stars.
Monsieur Aznavour will screen again on Thursday, 13 March, Saturday, 22 March, Saturday, 29 March, and finally on Sunday, 6 April. Head to the Orpheum website for times and tickets.
The impressive selection of films includes several Australian premieres: My Brother’s Band (En Fanfare), Beating Hearts (L’Amour Ouf), Riviera Revenge (N’avoue jamais), and The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (Sarah Bernhardt, La Divine) are just some of the highlights of a stacked lineup.
The Count of Monte Cristo, a thrilling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic adventure story, has been selected as the festival’s Centrepiece Premiere.
Directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière and starring Pierre Niney, this is the first French cinematic adaptation of the iconic story in over fifty years.
Set in Marseille in 1815, the film follows Edmond Dantès (Niney), a young sailor whose dreams are shattered when he is betrayed and imprisoned. After years of solitude, he befriends Abbé Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino), who reveals the location of a hidden treasure. Fuelled by revenge, Dantès hatches a plan to take down the three men who wronged him.
The Count of Monte Cristo sold close to 10 million tickets in France alone. Australian audiences can catch this hit film on Sunday, 9 March, Saturday, 15 March, Saturday, 22 March, and Friday, 28 March. Head to the Orpheum website for times and tickets.
Closing the festival is In the Sub for Love, a buoyant love letter to the screwball romantic comedies of the 1940s, starring Pio Marmaï and Eye Haïdara.
When Marco, a carefree steward, meets Marianne, a serious, practical submarine officer, during a fleeting shore leave, their lives briefly entangle.
A hilarious odd-couple comedy ensues when Marco (Marmaï) and Marianne (Haïdara) have a chance encounter during shore leave. When Marianne accidentally leaves her necklace behind, Marco finds himself aboard her submarine with no way out, trying to return it. Can love blossom 500 feet underwater, or will their differences be the end of them?
With its vibrant colours and punchy humour, the film has been described as reminiscent of the screwball romantic comedies of the 1940s. The witty direction and the cast’s electric chemistry ensure this film is sure to end the festival on a high note.
Get your tickets quick, because this will be the only screening of the movie, on Wednesday, 9 April.
CEO of Alliance Française, Frédéric Alliod, invites Sydney insiders to join the festival: “We can’t wait for audiences to experience the phenomenal lineup of screenings and special events we’ve curated for 2025. This eclectic selection promises a cinematic journey like no other.”
For tickets and more information head to: https://www.orpheum.com.au/fff2025