To coincide with the premiere of his new film VIOLETTE on the French Film Festival 2026, Filmhouse is spotlighting 3 classics by the legendary Jean-Pierre Jeunet: AMÉLIE (2001), which made romantics of us all, the darkly fantastical steampunk fairytale CITY OF LOST CHILDREN (1995), and his unforgettable, pitch-black comedy debut, DELICATESSEN (1991). Jeunet’s films are some of the most playful and imaginative in the rich history of French cinema, yet they’re also marked by a highly precise cinematographic rigor. Jeunet was a pioneering adopter of digital colour grading, beginning with AMÉLIE, and (in a very good way,) boy can’t we forget it. Oh how we wish we could pick his brain… Unless…. THAT’S RIGHT, Jeunet will be gracing us with his presence right here at Filmhouse on 21 Nov, for a Q&A after the AMÉLIE screening and an introduction before CITY OF LOST CHILDREN! To conclude the programme. Filmhouse pays tribute to the late Iranian-French director, Marjane Satrapi, reprising her beloved animated feature PERSEPOLIS (2007). A poignant yet clear-eyed account of growing up as a girl during the Iranian Revolution. This powerful film had a radical impact on both French and international adult animation, and placed the spotlight on Iranian art and stories. Rest in peace Marjane
In the bustling, hyper-saturated streets of Montmartre, shy and eccentric waitress Amélie Poulain discovers a hidden tin box of childhood treasures in her apartment. When she successfully returns it to its rightful owner, she embarks on a whimsical, clandestine crusade to orchestrate small moments of joy and justice in the lives of the colorful Parisian misfits around her. But as she plays guardian angel to others, Amélie must find the courage to pursue her own elusive romance.
A globe-conquering cultural phenomenon, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s magical realist romance remains one of the most beloved French films ever made. Powered by Audrey Tautou’s star-making performance and Yann Tiersen’s iconic accordion-laced score, Amélie is a visually intoxicating, unapologetically joyful cinematic confection that will leave you floating out of the theater.
In French with English subtitles
Rated M18 for Sexual Content,
With the support of French Embassy, part of vOilah! French film festival
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Satrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own.
In French with English subtitles.
Rated PG for Some Drug and Sexual References.
With the support of French Embassy, part of vOilah! French film festival
In a surreal, post-apocalyptic France where food is currency and times are desperately lean, an imposing landlord and butcher keeps his eclectic tenants fed with a very specialized, sinister supply of meat. When an optimistic former circus clown arrives looking for work as a handyman, he unwittingly falls for the butcher’s myopic, cello-playing daughter. To save him from the chopping block, she enlists the help of a subterranean rebel faction of vegetarian freedom fighters.
A dazzling exercise in pitch-black comedy and steampunk aesthetics, Jeunet and Caro’s breakout debut is a marvel of production design and rhythmic editing. Balancing grotesque horror with Keaton-esque slapstick, this deliciously macabre cult classic remains an essential big-screen experience.
In French with English subtitles
Rated NC16 for Some Violence.
With the support of French Embassy, part of vOilah! French film festival
On a fog-shrouded offshore rig, the malevolent scientist Krank suffers from an inability to dream, accelerating his aging process. To stave off death, he employs a cult of cyborg cyclops to kidnap children from the nearby port city to steal their dreams. When the little brother of One, a gentle, hulking circus strongman (Ron Perlman), is abducted, One forms an unlikely alliance with a fiercely intelligent nine year old street thief to infiltrate Krank’s surreal maritime fortress.
A breathtaking masterclass in world-building, The City of Lost Children pushes the visual limits of 90s practical effects and early CGI. Lensed by master cinematographer Darius Khondji, it is a haunting, Jules Verne infused gothic fairy tale that bridges the gap between dark comic book fantasy and European art cinema.
In French with English subtitles.
Rated NC16 for Brief Nudity.
With the support of French Embassy, part of vOilah! French film festival
