Of the approximately 230 feature films theatrically released in France each year, the majority are formulaic comedies. Among the others, a fair amount, probably more than anywhere else on this planet, could be defined as “auteur films,” since one can identify a certain originality in the filmmaking: the attempt by the director, whether any viewer likes it or not, to propose a personal vision of cinema, and of the world seen with it. These films include the internationally recognized cinema artists of various generations and styles, from Agnès Varda to Mia Hansen-Løve, from Assayas to Dumont or Depardon, Kechiche to Desplechin or Philibert, Jacquot and Carax to Claire Denis or Bonello, etc. These films are, properly enough, well-seen and well-known abroad, thanks to festivals, sales agents, and organizations like Unifrance and Institut Français that support their visibility. This important stream of what could be called the “mainstream auteur French cinema” also includes younger or less prestigious directors who nevertheless enjoy the support of international distribution. But as it happens—and this is good news—there is more.

There is a constant flow of newcomers revitalizing French cinema with their originality. Whether they make what we usually call “documentary” or “fiction,” they often question this distinction as well as that between filmmaking, art, activism or essay. Their breathtaking creativity is a little-known treasure in France, where these films are rarely noticed by the industry, the awards and the mainstream media, and even less noticed outside of French borders. This program introduces nine of these singular gems.

They offer wonderful experiences to viewers with enough curiosity, as well as pointing to new directions that more conventional films will later embrace. Most of them are first or second efforts, and all of them were released in France between January 1st 2015 and June 30th 2016. They have been chosen among an even-larger list of potential representatives of this spirit of innovation, originality, and attention to the realities and imaginary of our times, a spirit exemplified by extremely various means. And of course, it is the diversity of these means that is to be underlined here. – Jean-Michel Frodon