Synopsis
François Ozon’s 24th feature, each one different from the last, but always with an involving story and strong, interesting female characters. The central character in When Autumn Falls is enigmatic octogenarian Michelle, played by doyenne of French film, Hélène Vincent, in a wonderful lead performance. Our first film of the season also features rising star Pierre Lottin as Vincent, the imprisoned bad-boy son of Marie Claude, a contrasting role to the humble trombonist, Jimmy, in The Marching Band, our final film of last season.
In the Burgundian countryside, Michelle is enjoying what appears to be an idyllic retirement. Apart from spending time with her best friend, Marie-Claude, Michelle’s greatest joy is seeing her young grandson, Lucas. When her daughter Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier) drops off Lucas to spend the school vacation with his grandma, a crucial incident occurs that leads Valérie to cut short their visit and remove Michelle’s access to Lucas, leaving her heartbroken and depressed. At this point Marie-Claude’s son, ex-con Vincent, enters the picture. Michelle offers to help him financially and his friendship seems to give her life renewed purpose, but this is when her problems really begin, and secrets from the past make their way to the surface.
Ozon leads us through his elegantly plotted and engrossing mystery, with unexpected twists and turns as revelations and ambiguous motives are revealed. Skilfully put together, beautifully acted by the entire cast and totally engrossing.
Language: French with subtitles
Additional Info
Why Watch?
“A character-driven psychological drama from the ever-surprising and unpredictable François Ozon, the twisty When Autumn Falls is worthy of comparison to Claude Chabrol at his finest.” (Irish Film Institute)
“When Autumn Falls succeeds at once as an empathetic psychological portrait, a feminist drama and an emphatic anti-ageism statement — all executed with the subtlety, craft and sheer sly cheek that are Ozon trademarks.” (Financial Times)
Director’s comments - François Ozon
Q&A: director François Ozon - The modern French master reflects on ageing, useful lies and country secrets in his new slow crime film, theartsdesk, 20 March 2025
“It’s a story of survival. It’s people who try to survive with their past, and with reality.”
“I’m a cinephile director so of course I’ve seen many great films. For this film what inspired me more was the writer, Georges Simenon”
Location
Cheltenham Film Society, Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Rd, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP
