Hong Kong City Hall in Central | 54th Hong Kong French Film Festival Celebrating 130 Years of Cinema with Over 50 French Films

Description

This November, the Hong Kong French Culture Association will present the 54th Hong Kong French Film Festival (HKFFF). As the longest-running international film festival in Hong Kong, and coinciding with the 130th anniversary of cinema this year, the festival will screen over 50 films with approximately 120 screenings from 19 November to 11 December 2025, covering classic and innovative themes. This significant milestone celebration will showcase the creativity and charm of French cinema.

Hong Kong will be the first international city to showcase the latest work of French director🖃producer Christophe Barratier, 'Children of the Resistance'. At the same time, the legendary French comedian Gérard Jugnot will be in attendance in Hong Kong, witnessing this historic world premiere.
 

Couture

The highlight of the red carpet this year is Alice Winocour's 'Couture', which revolves around three women striving during Paris Fashion Week. The core character of the film is Angèle, a young French makeup artist with literary aspirations played by Ella Rumpf. Through Angèle's perspective, the audience is taken behind the scenes of fashion, witnessing the long hours, fragile dreams, and resilient struggles, revealing a lesser-known side of the industry.

Angèle's story intersects with that of director Maxine, played by Angelina Jolie, who is facing a heartbreaking diagnosis; while Ada, portrayed by South Sudanese model Anyier Anei, is stepping onto her first Paris Fashion Week runway. Their three lives weave a collective tapestry of creativity, survival, and solidarity across generations.

In addition, Garance Marillier plays a young seamstress making Ada's fashion show gown, shedding light on the often-overlooked experiences of women in the fashion industry and cinema. Shot in the historic CHANEL workshop in Paris,🖃 the film exudes elegance and intimacy, making it one of the most impressive works of this festival.

Even more exciting is the presence of Garance Marillier and Ella Rumpf at the Hong Kong French Film Festival, where they will introduce the film and interact with the audience, providing a rare opportunity for local cinephiles to engage with these two rising international actresses.

The Most Moneyed Woman

In Thierry Klifa's 'The Most Moneyed Woman' (La Femme la plus riche du Monde), Isabelle Huppert plays Marianne Farrere, the heiress of a cosmetics giant. Her life starts to wobble as she embarks on an entanglement with a photographer, Pierre-Alain (Laurent Lafitte), who has a Zhang Yang personality. This triggers a series of family conflicts, and her daughter Frédérique (Marina Foïs) exposes a political scandal, gradually dismantling the family's foundation built on privilege and silence. The film draws inspiration from the Bettencourt affair, where L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt became the focus of France's most sensational scandal. Klifa transforms this real-life scandal into a contemporary tragedy about inheritance, power, and fragility.

Shaping the Future

Cédric Klapisch's 'Shaping the Future' (La Venue de l'avenir) is an artistic portrayal of a Paris family's multigenerational story. The narrative alternates between modern-day Paris and old Paris in the 19th century, as a group of estranged cousins discover their ancestor Adèle's abandoned farmhouse and learn about her decision to leave her hometown and embark on a solo journey to Paris in 1895 in pursuit of freedom.

The film stars Suzanne Lindon as Adèle, alongside Paul Kircher and Vassili Schneider, capturing a chapter of generational change. 1895 was the year when the Lumière brothers, pioneers of cinema, invented the method of projecting films, and when Czech artist Mucha designed a famous theater poster for French actress Sarah Bernhardt, and French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne held his first solo exhibition. Klapisch integrates Adèle's journey into this period of artistic flourishing, combining cultural landmarks with a tale of self-discovery. The film's historical context resonates strongly with this year's celebration of 130 years of cinema, making it especially meaningful.

Children of the Resistance

'Children of the Resistance' (Les Enfants de la Résistance), set for release in January 2026, will have its world premiere at this festival. The director, Gérard Jugnot, will be in attendance, adding a special significance to this premiere and marking the beginning of its global release. Directed by the renowned French director Christophe Barratier, it is adapted from the bestselling comic book series by Vincent Dugomier and Benoît Ers. Set in France during World War II under Nazi occupation, the film follows three courageous children, François, Eusèbe, and Lisa, who daringly join the underground resistance, carrying out missions and transmitting secret messages. Their adventurous journey is filled with courage and friendship. The cast includes Lucas Hector, Nina Filbrandt, Artus, and Jugnot, giving the film intergenerational resonance and depth.

The Chorus

Another classic film to look forward to is 'The Chorus' (Les Choristes), which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards. This modern classic musical film, released in 2004, is directed by Christophe Barratier and tells the story of Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), a disillusioned musician who, in 1948, takes a job at a boarding school for troubled boys. There, he inspires the students through music and song, warming their hearts with the power of a humble choir. It showcases the redemptive quality of music.

Jugnot's portrayal of Clément Mathieu solidified his importance in French cinema, while Barratier's delicate direction demonstrated his talent as a new-generation storyteller. 

Children of Paradise

A retrospective of films would be incomplete without Marcel Carné's classic 'Children of Paradise' (Les Enfants du Paradis). Released in 1946, it immediately received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1947 and is considered one of the greatest works in the history of French cinema. Directed by Marcel Carné, this three-hour epic takes the audience on a journey through the bustling streets and theaters of 19th-century Paris, weaving a tale of love, art, and destiny.

The film centers around the beautiful, kind-hearted, and mysterious prostitute Garance and her complex relationships with four men: the timid yet passionate mime artist Baptiste, the ambitious actor Frédérick, the cynical criminal Lacenaire, and the aristocratic Count Edouard. Multiple storylines intertwine, creating a web of desires and betrayals, love and hatred. Shot during a politically turbulent time when France was under Nazi occupation, Carné's work showcases the resilience and power of art in adversity. With magnificent performances, poetic dialogues, and legendary sets designed by renowned scenic artist Alexandre Trauner, 'Children of Paradise' has earned its place as an eternal classic in French cinema and is one of the festival's signature films celebrating 130 years of cinema. The retrospective section will feature fifteen timeless classics, carefully curated for fans who adore the timeless allure of French cinema.

This year's festival will also welcome Gérard Jugnot to Hong Kong, where he will meet fans and participate in post-screening Q&A sessions. It is a rare opportunity for Hong Kong cinephiles to ask questions of this beloved French actor🖃director in person, not to be missed.

For more information about the Hong Kong French Film Festival, please visit www.hkfrenchfilmfestival.com or www.afhongkong.org.

Hong Kong French Film Festival Website: www.hkfrenchfilmfestival.com

Hong Kong French Film Festival Dates: 19 November to 11 December 2025

Ticketing Information:

Broadway Cinemas: https://www.cinema.com.hk/tc/movie/special/17

Hong Kong City Hall: https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/14188

Hong Kong Film Archive: https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/14190/

Participating Cinemas:

Hong Kong City Hall, Broadway Cinematheque, MOViE MOViE Pacific Place, PALACE ifc, The Oval, AF Hong Kong Jordan Centre, and JCCAC