Synopsis

Married writers Sandra and Samuel live in an idyllic mountain chalet in the snow-covered French Alps with their visually impaired son Daniel. When Samuel’s body is found lying bloodied in the snow, the initial presumption is suicide. As the investigation proceeds, the police begin to suspect foul play. The evidence mounts, and Sandra is brought to trial. Could she have committed such a crime?

Featuring an electrifying lead performance from the mesmerizing Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall trains a microscope on one couple’s troubled relationship while posing questions about the legal system’s ability to interpret the nuances of life and the complexities of marriage. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Justine Triet’s tension-filled opus is a bracing, Hitchcockian showstopper.

Synopsis

Samet, a teacher serving mandatory civil service in an isolated village in Anatolia, dreams of a new appointment to a post in Istanbul. But his hopes of reassignment are beginning to fade as he faces another unforgiving winter. His gloomy existence is thrown into further tumult when he’s accused of acting inappropriately toward one of his young students. Feeling assailed from all sides, Samet turns to Nuray, a colleague from a neighboring village and fellow wayward soul.

Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan (winner of the 2014 Palme d’Or for Winter Sleep) covers this fierce psychological character study with a blanket of snow, backgrounding the proceedings with stunning landscape photography that highlights the harsh beauty and intense realities of Turkish provincial life. Featuring impeccable performances and labyrinthine dialogue, About Dry Grasses weaves an intricate web of desperation, hope, and longing.

Synopsis

In the heart of old Marseilles, Rosa, a dedicated nurse and anchor of her family and community, discovers unexpected love and a renewed purpose when she meets Henri, an enigmatic figure who reignites her dormant aspirations. Unfolding against the backdrop of a city in the midst of a political awakening, And the Party Goes On takes us on a charming and romantic journey that proves dreams are ageless and love knows no bounds, echoing the essence of director Robert Guédiguian’s celebrated oeuvre.

Known for his ability to blend intimate human stories with the larger socio-political landscape, Guédiguian’s latest masterwork pays homage to the vibrant Armenian community in Marseilles. Delectable culinary moments, featuring a tantalizing pasta dish adorned with anchovies and walnuts, evoke the comforts of familial bonds and nostalgia for home.

Synopsis

Five women across three generations are struggling to keep their decaying family hotel afloat. When Piedade’s daughter Salomé arrives on the scene, old resentments begin to bubble to the surface. The film’s wounded characters collide with one another in frank confrontation as layers of generational trauma are laid bare. The deteriorating architecture of the hotel looms over the action, reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil and embodying the fraying ties of a family on the verge of being torn apart.

Synopsis

In a remote village in northern Senegal, the introspective Adama finds himself drawn to Banel, a passionate and rebellious spirit. Together, they make the bold decision to carve out their own destiny, opting to live independently from their respective families and be with each other. When Adama refuses to step into the role expected of him as the village’s future leader, it sets off a chain reaction that challenges tradition and tests the strength of their love.

With striking cinematography enriched by subtle elements of magical realism, Banel & Adama presents a visually enthralling journey.