The article provides a summary of various films, highlighting their plots and notable cast members. It features “Monsieur Aznavour,” which chronicles Charles Aznavour’s rise from humble beginnings, along with “4 zéros,” focusing on a soccer club president’s struggles. Other films include “Transformers: The Beginning,” detailing the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron, and “The Killer,” where a hitman must fund a singer’s operation. Each entry sheds light on unique narratives within the film industry.
Monsieur Aznavour by Mehdi Idir, Grand Corps Malade
Featuring Tahar Rahim, Bastien Bouillon, Marie-Julie Baup, and more…
Synopsis: Born to refugee parents and faced with poverty, Charles Aznavour had a reputation of having little chance for success. Through relentless effort and determination, he emerged as a legendary figure in music and a beacon of French culture.
Fun Fact: This film is structured into five chapters, a format that felt organic to the filmmakers. As Grand Corps Malade explains, “Chaptering allowed us to manage time jumps and maintain viewer engagement. We also wanted to name each chapter after one of his songs, illuminating how they were influenced by his life.”
4 Zéros by Fabien Onteniente
With Gérard Lanvin, Didier Bourdon, Isabelle Nanty, and others…
Synopsis: Sylvie Colonna, president of the Haricots d’Arpajon soccer club, has rebuilt her life with José Pinto, who runs a struggling Portuguese restaurant, Churrasco. Their son Manu, in his thirties, aspires to be a football agent and discovers a young talent named Kidane who has the potential to shine.
Interesting Tidbit: Fabien Onteniente and Gérard Lanvin joined forces again after their previous collaborations, including 3 Zéros and Camping. Their reunion began during the filming of a historical TV movie in 2022, where they discussed making a sequel to 3 Zéros.
Transformers: The Beginning by Josh Cooley
Featuring Adrien Antoine, Chris Hemsworth, Philippe Lacheau, and more…
Synopsis: Set on Cybertron, this film explores the story of how Optimus Prime and Megatron transformed from loyal allies to bitter enemies, culminating in an epic conflict between Autobots and Decepticons.
The Killer by John Woo
Featuring Nathalie Emmanuel, Sam Worthington, Omar Sy, and others…
Synopsis: A hitman accidentally blinds a young singer during his latest job. To raise funds for her surgery, he takes on another dangerous contract.
Challenger by Varante Soudjian
With Alban Ivanov, Audrey Pirault, Soso Maness, and others…
Synopsis: Luka aspires to be a boxing champion. Currently, he fights as an amateur in low-stakes matches, but a twist of fate pushes him toward his dreams!
Did You Know? The inspiration for Challenger stemmed from Varante Soudjian and co-writer Thomas Pone’s mutual love for the Rocky franchise. The director shared, “We create films we want to see; a comedic take on boxing has always intrigued us. The idea of Challenger emerged to offer a French version of Rocky.”
Fario by Lucie Prost
Featuring Finnegan Oldfield, Megan Northam, Florence Loiret Caille, and others…
Synopsis: Léo, a gifted engineer and nightlife enthusiast in Berlin, returns to his village in Doubs to sell his father’s land to a mining company. Confronted by his family and friends’ opposition, he begins to notice unusual behavior in the local trout.
Fun Fact: Lucie Prost’s exploration of trout behavior suggests a whimsical twist, echoing the recent trend in genre cinema, similar to films like Just Philippot’s La Nuée and Thomas Cailley’s Le Règne Animal.
Three Kilometers to the End of the World by Emanuel Parvu
With Bogdan Dumitrache, Ciprian Chiujdea, Laura Vasiliu, and others…
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Adi is spending a summer in his village amid the serene Danube delta when he faces an unprovoked assault. The incident dramatically alters his relationship with his parents and shakes the village’s calm facade.
Angelo in the Mysterious Forest by Vincent Paronnaud, Alexis Ducord
Featuring Philippe Katerine, José Garcia, Yolande Moreau, and others…
Synopsis: Ten