Transgressing the hierarchies of arthouse and popular filmmaking, the hugely successful oeuvre of Cédric Klapisch fosters a new realism in French cinema, one of ordinary locations, unfussy cinematography, and naturalistic dialogue. Klapisch’s idiosyncratic, whimsical style—filled with voice-over musings and playful visual effects—serves to explore the beautiful mess of life in a hyperconnected world. Rigorously challenging dominant ideas of what it means to be French, both at home and abroad, the beloved films in our double bill weave together irresistible portraits of multinational characters navigating not only private joys and worries, but also a rapidly changing Europe.
In the smash hit The Spanish Apartment (2002), the audacious portrayal of the Erasmus experience became an emblem of the exchange programme, and a cult film for a whole generation of European students—applications for the programme even doubled the year after its release! Tinged with melancholic contemplation and full of charmingly chaotic characters, the film is astonishingly empathetic to the emotional and professional hurdles faced by young adults at the cusp of a new millennium. The urban vignettes of near-missed connections and chance encounters of Paris (2008) embody both the mystique and the grittier side of the fabled city. Existing alongside romance and roses are bittersweet tales of those who live on the fringes. At a time when European identity and solidarity are constantly being put to the test, these films are a testament to the beauty of multiculturalism, celebrating a confused but flavoursome melting pot of cultures, languages, and values.

Transgressing the hierarchies of arthouse and popular filmmaking, the hugely successful oeuvre of Cédric Klapisch fosters a new realism in French cinema, one of ordinary locations, unfussy cinematography, and naturalistic dialogue. Klapisch&#8217;s idiosyncratic, whimsical style&#8212;filled with voice-over musings and playful visual effects&#8212;serves to explore the beautiful mess of life in a hyperconnected world. Rigorously challenging dominant ideas of what it means to be French, both at home and abroad, the beloved films in our double bill weave together irresistible portraits of multinational characters navigating not only private joys and worries, but also a rapidly changing Europe.
In the smash hit The Spanish Apartment (2002), the audacious portrayal of the Erasmus experience became an emblem of the exchange programme, and a cult film for a whole generation of European students&#8212;applications for the programme even doubled the year after its release! Tinged with melancholic contemplation and full of charmingly chaotic characters, the film is astonishingly empathetic to the emotional and professional hurdles faced by young adults at the cusp of a new millennium. The urban vignettes of near-missed connections and chance encounters of Paris (2008) embody both the mystique and the grittier side of the fabled city. Existing alongside romance and roses are bittersweet tales of those who live on the fringes. At a time when European identity and solidarity are constantly being put to the test, these films are a testament to the beauty of multiculturalism, celebrating a confused but flavoursome melting pot of cultures, languages, and values.

Departures and Arrivals: A Cédric Klapisch Double Bill

DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS: A CÉDRIC KLAPISCH DOUBLE BILL

Transgressing the hierarchies of arthouse and popular filmmaking, Cédric Klapisch fosters a new realism in French cinema. At a time when European identity is constantly challenged, these films are an expression of solidarity, celebrating a flavoursome melting pot of cultures, languages, and values.

Transgressing the hierarchies of arthouse and popular filmmaking, Cédric Klapisch fosters a new realism in French cinema. At a time when European identity is constantly challenged, these films are an expression of solidarity, celebrating a flavoursome melting pot of cultures, languages, and values.