#frenchfilms — Public Fediverse posts

The Ice Tower: A Chilling French Fantasy Drama ❄️

Here’s an excellent, creepy fantasy drama written and directed by French filmmaker Lucile Hadžihalilović. The Ice Tower (La Tour de glace) stars Marion Cotillard and Clara Pacini, with the former’s haughty film star shooting a 1970s film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen (1844).

What plays out is Cotillard’s character stalking a teenage orphan, manipulating her as the film’s icy set increasingly blends reality into fantasy.

Youthful Naivety Meets a Haughty Queen in The Ice Tower

The narrative follows the difficult life of teenage orphan Jeanne (Clara Pacini in her debut role). She runs away from her orphanage, adopts the new name Bianca, and ends up sleeping rough at the back of a film set.

Whilst there she gets mistaken for an on-set extra and is drafted into the production. There she first glimpses the beautiful, mysterious Christina, a disillusioned French film star kind of in love with her own legend.

Christina is the star fronting an adaptation of The Snow Queen. We see her glamour and talent on set, but behind the scenes we discover a rage-filled and not entirely pleasant, bitter lady.

SOME SPOIERS AHEAD! Christina’s icy personality is, of course, directly suited to the film she’s helping depict. She does, however, take an interest in Bianca (who lies that she’s 20, when she’s only 15) and brings her in under her wing.

She then provides Bianca with a more prominent role in the film and even sets her up at a fancy hotel near the studio.

In her naivety, Bianca mistakes this behaviour as affectionally maternal and starts viewing the situation through a surrogate mother lens. For the viewer, it’s clear Christina’s motives aren’t quite as pure. As the narrative reaches its conclusion, and the in-film production wraps, that’s when we discover who Christina really is. A fantastically loathable performance from Marion Cotillard, this is an ice Queen predator for the ages.

Yet it’s not without reason. There are hints along the way Christina is the way she is through the oppressive weight of patriarchal structures in the film industry. It’s as if she’s trapped, traumatised, and cowardly in her release of all her pent up rage. Ultimately, she uses a teenager for her abusive release.

Where director Lucile Hadžihalilović excels in The Ice Tower is with merging fantasy with reality. Sometimes it’s unclear if Bianca believes herself part of The Snow Queen’s universe, not on a set.

Across that the film’s brooding tone is supported by barely any dialogue. There’s Christina’s haughty gaze, and the searing icy cinematography, which make it a darkly lush experience about damaged souls.

The Production of The Ice Tower

Lucile Hadžihalilović’s body of work is avant-garde, her other films include Evolution (2015) and Earwig (2021). She co-wrote the screenplay and the shoot began in Paris from January to March 2024. Exterior shots were filmed in Yvelines (the Île-de-France region) and also in Bolzano of Northern Italy.

The film had a €4.9 million (£4.1 million) budget. It had a considerable run at European film festivals, but received only a limited release at select arthouse cinemas and then hit streaming services with a vengeance. It’s a shame, as we would have loved to see this at the cinema, but it didn’t hit mainstream cinemas.

As a result, the film made less than $50,000 at the global box office. But this was no flop in the traditional Hollywood sense.

You might wonder why someone would go to great lengths to make a film, but then not release it “properly”. Fact is, a wide theatrical rollout costs a lot and for a surreal French-language drama like this it would’ve led to financial losses. Ice Tower received its funding from European public arts grants, subsidies, public TV stations (ARTE France), and the European festival run then gave it exposure. Metropolitan Filmexport also distributed it.

Also, Marion Cotillard’s star presence drew more attention in. She’s been in some massive films over the years, such as Christopher Nolan’s 2010 classic Inception, but frequently supports these small independent productions.

The Ice Queen is now available on streaming platforms such as BFI Player and MUBI, plus it’s out on Blu-ray and DVD, so will recoup plenty from film buffs like us hunting it down to watch it.

The film first premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution. Critically, it’s been divisive, but some key film critics loved it (such as Dr. Mark Kermode higher up, and The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave it 5/5).

We’ve seen various film buff reviews online hating on it. Opinions and all that, but we don’t agree.

The Ice Tower featured in many of 2025’s Best Films of the Year lists, but we’ve rarely encountered something so acclaimed that’s so difficult to find and watch. We recommend you hunt it down on MUBI or whatnot to make your own mind up about it, but for us this is another modern French classic up there with Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019).

“Two Pianos” Turns Modern Melodrama Old-Fashioned

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/two-pianos-turns-modern-melodrama-old-fashioned

The 46 Greatest French films of All Time

1. The Rules of the Game (1939)
2. Children of Paradise (1945)
3. La Haine (1995)
4. Amélie (2001)
5. The 400 Blows (1959)
#Frenchfilms #wolink #movietimetoday
https://www.movietimetoday.com/archives/12762

https://www.evshift.com/426063/masterclass-with-pathe-episode-1/ Masterclass with Pathé | Episode 1 #Allure #automobile #CARS #cinema #Design #ElectricCars #ElectricVehicles #Episode #EV #films #French #FrenchFilms #JeanBaptisteSaurel #Masterclass #movies #Pathé #peugeot #PeugeotXPathé #PoliceFlash80

Raymond Depardon’s Documentary Confrontations with Power

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/raymond-depardons-documentary-confrontations-with-power

Extremely French wine bar coming to S.F.’s most Italian neighborhood

A wine bar with a Parisian bent, clear views of Alcatraz…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #mediterranean #MediterraneanDiet #MediterraneanFood #FrenchWine #Frenchwine #MediterraneanWine #BrandoJessie #ChezBrando #francais #france #French #Frenchfilms #frenchwine #ItalianRestaurant #J.J.Johnson #sanfrancisco #Wine #WINEBAR
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2326039/extremely-french-wine-bar-coming-to-s-f-s-most-italian-neighborhood/

Extremely French wine bar coming to S.F.’s most Italian neighborhood

A wine bar with a Parisian bent, clear views of Alcatraz…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #mediterranean #MediterraneanDiet #MediterraneanFood #FrenchWine #Frenchwine #MediterraneanWine #BrandoJessie #ChezBrando #francais #france #French #Frenchfilms #frenchwine #ItalianRestaurant #J.J.Johnson #sanfrancisco #Wine #WINEBAR
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2326039/extremely-french-wine-bar-coming-to-s-f-s-most-italian-neighborhood/

I'm a big Camus fan - a new adaptation of The Stranger by Francois Ozon (in French, of course) will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It stars Benjamin Voisin as Mersault, and it looks great. Psyched to see this one.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3F2fkevCM

#Camus #FrenchFilm #film #movies #films #TheStranger #AlbertCamus #FrancoisOzon #2025Movies #2025Films #France #French #FrenchFilms #absurdist #absurdism #existentialist #existentialism #existentialists

I'm a big Camus fan - a new adaptation of The Stranger by Francois Ozon (in French, of course) will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It stars Benjamin Voisin as Mersault, and it looks great. Psyched to see this one.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3F2fkevCM

#Camus #FrenchFilm #film #movies #films #TheStranger #AlbertCamus #FrancoisOzon #2025Movies #2025Films #France #French #FrenchFilms #absurdist #absurdism #existentialist #existentialism #existentialists

I'm a big Camus fan - a new adaptation of The Stranger by Francois Ozon (in French, of course) will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It stars Benjamin Voisin as Mersault, and it looks great. Psyched to see this one.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3F2fkevCM

#Camus #FrenchFilm #film #movies #films #TheStranger #AlbertCamus #FrancoisOzon #2025Movies #2025Films #France #French #FrenchFilms #absurdist #absurdism #existentialist #existentialism #existentialists

I'm a big Camus fan - a new adaptation of The Stranger by Francois Ozon (in French, of course) will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It stars Benjamin Voisin as Mersault, and it looks great. Psyched to see this one.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3F2fkevCM

#Camus #FrenchFilm #film #movies #films #TheStranger #AlbertCamus #FrancoisOzon #2025Movies #2025Films #France #French #FrenchFilms #absurdist #absurdism #existentialist #existentialism #existentialists

One of Chantal Akerman’s Best Films Is in Legal Limbo

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/one-of-chantal-akermans-best-films-is-in-legal-limbo

European movie poster for SCHOOL FOR LOVE (1955)

NSFW

#nsfw #film #cinema #aiart #vintageposter #poster #posters #movieposters #cinemastodon #movies #eroticart #nudity #frenchfilms #frenchcinema #cinemafrancais #aiphotography #aiimages #classicfilm #filmastodon #erotic #classicmovies #blackandwhite #nsfwart #aiporn #aipornart #femalenudity #bardot #brigittebardot

European movie poster for SCHOOL FOR LOVE (1955)

NSFW

#nsfw #film #cinema #aiart #vintageposter #poster #posters #movieposters #cinemastodon #movies #eroticart #nudity #frenchfilms #frenchcinema #cinemafrancais #aiphotography #aiimages #classicfilm #filmastodon #erotic #classicmovies #blackandwhite #nsfwart #aiporn #aipornart #femalenudity #bardot #brigittebardot

European movie poster for SCHOOL FOR LOVE (1955)

NSFW

#nsfw #film #cinema #aiart #vintageposter #poster #posters #movieposters #cinemastodon #movies #eroticart #nudity #frenchfilms #frenchcinema #cinemafrancais #aiphotography #aiimages #classicfilm #filmastodon #erotic #classicmovies #blackandwhite #nsfwart #aiporn #aipornart #femalenudity #bardot #brigittebardot

Crime, comedy and The Count of Monte-Cristo: French flock to cinemas … to watch homegrown films

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/comedy-and-the-count-of-monte-cristo-french-flock-to-cinemas-to-watch-homegrown-films

sadly, 95% of those #FrenchFilms don't get released in UK cinemas ... #frenchCinema #France

Crime, comedy and The Count of Monte-Cristo: French flock to cinemas … to watch homegrown films

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/comedy-and-the-count-of-monte-cristo-french-flock-to-cinemas-to-watch-homegrown-films

sadly, 95% of those #FrenchFilms don't get released in UK cinemas ... #frenchCinema #France

Crime, comedy and The Count of Monte-Cristo: French flock to cinemas … to watch homegrown films

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/comedy-and-the-count-of-monte-cristo-french-flock-to-cinemas-to-watch-homegrown-films

sadly, 95% of those #FrenchFilms don't get released in UK cinemas ... #frenchCinema #France

Crime, comedy and The Count of Monte-Cristo: French flock to cinemas … to watch homegrown films

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/comedy-and-the-count-of-monte-cristo-french-flock-to-cinemas-to-watch-homegrown-films

sadly, 95% of those #FrenchFilms don't get released in UK cinemas ... #frenchCinema #France

The #Olympics is making us want to watch French films. Diva obvs, Subway, Les Flics, Betty Blue, Sans Toite Ni Loi, Haut Tension... What are we missing? #frenchfilms

The #Olympics is making us want to watch French films. Diva obvs, Subway, Les Flics, Betty Blue, Sans Toite Ni Loi, Haut Tension... What are we missing? #frenchfilms

The #Olympics is making us want to watch French films. Diva obvs, Subway, Les Flics, Betty Blue, Sans Toite Ni Loi, Haut Tension... What are we missing? #frenchfilms

This morning’s 4K Ultra HD movie is “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” (1972), a French film starring Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig, Paul Frankeur, Bulle Ogier, Stéphane Audran, & Jean-Pierre Cassel. Directed by Luis Buñuel. Released by StudioCanal.

A surreal, virtually plotless series of dreams centered around six middle-class people and their consistently interrupted attempts to have a meal together.

#4KUHD #UltraHD #StudioCanel #FrenchFilms #FrenchCinema

“Le Quai des Brumes” (Port of Shadows, 1938) — my 3rd Jean Gabin film.

#FrenchFilms #JeanGabin

“Le Quai des Brumes” (Port of Shadows, 1938) — my 3rd Jean Gabin film.

#FrenchFilms #JeanGabin

“Le Quai des Brumes” (Port of Shadows, 1938) — my 3rd Jean Gabin film.

#FrenchFilms #JeanGabin

SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER (’60): In the battle of #FrenchNewWave titans, I am far more a Truffaut fan than Godard, finding the latter a bit too self-referential and “out there”. Here Truffaut serves up noir, French style, with a piano player (with a dark background, natch) inadvertently forced on the run with a gorgeous girl who offers redemption. Great mix of every genre you can think of- even comedy (howled at the “if I’m lying…” bit). Extremely creative. Beautiful photography too. #frenchfilms

SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER (’60): In the battle of #FrenchNewWave titans, I am far more a Truffaut fan than Godard, finding the latter a bit too self-referential and “out there”. Here Truffaut serves up noir, French style, with a piano player (with a dark background, natch) inadvertently forced on the run with a gorgeous girl who offers redemption. Great mix of every genre you can think of- even comedy (howled at the “if I’m lying…” bit). Extremely creative. Beautiful photography too. #frenchfilms

BACK TO THE WALL (’58): Fairly obscure French #filmnoir, of most note for starring young Jeanne Moreau, who plays a cheating wife being slowly squeezed (along with her lover) by the knowing husband. A feast for the eyes for noir-heads like myself, terrifically photographed, conveying the atmosphere perfectly. Enjoyed the slow boil of the husband’s scheme, as well as plot twists on the way to the (expectedly) downbeat conclusion. Glad #KinoLorber got this one back in circulation. #frenchfilms

BACK TO THE WALL (’58): Fairly obscure French #filmnoir, of most note for starring young Jeanne Moreau, who plays a cheating wife being slowly squeezed (along with her lover) by the knowing husband. A feast for the eyes for noir-heads like myself, terrifically photographed, conveying the atmosphere perfectly. Enjoyed the slow boil of the husband’s scheme, as well as plot twists on the way to the (expectedly) downbeat conclusion. Glad #KinoLorber got this one back in circulation. #frenchfilms

BACK TO THE WALL (’58): Fairly obscure French #filmnoir, of most note for starring young Jeanne Moreau, who plays a cheating wife being slowly squeezed (along with her lover) by the knowing husband. A feast for the eyes for noir-heads like myself, terrifically photographed, conveying the atmosphere perfectly. Enjoyed the slow boil of the husband’s scheme, as well as plot twists on the way to the (expectedly) downbeat conclusion. Glad #KinoLorber got this one back in circulation. #frenchfilms

BACK TO THE WALL (’58): Fairly obscure French #filmnoir, of most note for starring young Jeanne Moreau, who plays a cheating wife being slowly squeezed (along with her lover) by the knowing husband. A feast for the eyes for noir-heads like myself, terrifically photographed, conveying the atmosphere perfectly. Enjoyed the slow boil of the husband’s scheme, as well as plot twists on the way to the (expectedly) downbeat conclusion. Glad #KinoLorber got this one back in circulation. #frenchfilms

So, Saturday night was horror night, and “Titane” was... well, not quite what I expected. By turns horrific, absurd, challenging, bewildering and ultimately rather sweet. I'm still thinking about its themes and about Agathe Rousselle's extraordinary performance.
#HorrorFilms #BodyHorror #FrenchFilms

So, Saturday night was horror night, and “Titane” was... well, not quite what I expected. By turns horrific, absurd, challenging, bewildering and ultimately rather sweet. I'm still thinking about its themes and about Agathe Rousselle's extraordinary performance.
#HorrorFilms #BodyHorror #FrenchFilms

So, Saturday night was horror night, and “Titane” was... well, not quite what I expected. By turns horrific, absurd, challenging, bewildering and ultimately rather sweet. I'm still thinking about its themes and about Agathe Rousselle's extraordinary performance.
#HorrorFilms #BodyHorror #FrenchFilms

#Cine #Cinema #Movies #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #MastoFilms #GasparNoé #Climax #FrenchFilms #CinémaFrançais #Dance #Dancestodon

🎬 Climax (Gaspar Noé, 2018) 🔥 🔊 🎶
https://video.liberta.vip/w/sHT44qvs178uFRENqoGKQQ?warningTitle=0&controlBar=0

#Movies #Cine #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #ClassicFilms #AdaptacionesDeLibros #PatriciaHighsmith #TheTalentedMrRipley #PleinSoleil #APlenoSol #PurpleNoon #RenéClément #AlainDelon #MauriceRonet #MarieLaforêt #FrenchFilms #ObraMaestraDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine

🎬 A pleno sol (René Clément, 1960)

Gente civilizada:
—A propósito: ¿has intentado matarme al salir del agua?
—Al salir del agua no, pero sí una o dos veces antes.
—¡Ah! Eso me interesa…
https://video.liberta.vip/w/b23deF3UqDtpVfkKrR7Dc7?warningTitle=0&controlBar=0

#Movies #Cine #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #ClassicFilms #AdaptacionesDeLibros #PatriciaHighsmith #TheTalentedMrRipley #PleinSoleil #APlenoSol #PurpleNoon #RenéClément #AlainDelon #MauriceRonet #MarieLaforêt #FrenchFilms #ObraMaestraDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine

🎬 A pleno sol (René Clément, 1960)

Gente civilizada:
—A propósito: ¿has intentado matarme al salir del agua?
—Al salir del agua no, pero sí una o dos veces antes.
—¡Ah! Eso me interesa…
https://video.liberta.vip/w/b23deF3UqDtpVfkKrR7Dc7?warningTitle=0&controlBar=0

#Movies #Cine #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #ClassicFilms #AdaptacionesDeLibros #PatriciaHighsmith #TheTalentedMrRipley #PleinSoleil #APlenoSol #PurpleNoon #RenéClément #AlainDelon #MauriceRonet #MarieLaforêt #FrenchFilms #ObraMaestraDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine

🎬 A pleno sol (René Clément, 1960)

Gente civilizada:
—A propósito: ¿has intentado matarme al salir del agua?
—Al salir del agua no, pero sí una o dos veces antes.
—¡Ah! Eso me interesa…
https://video.liberta.vip/w/b23deF3UqDtpVfkKrR7Dc7?warningTitle=0&controlBar=0

#Movies #Cine #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #ClassicFilms #AdaptacionesDeLibros #PatriciaHighsmith #TheTalentedMrRipley #PleinSoleil #APlenoSol #PurpleNoon #RenéClément #AlainDelon #MauriceRonet #MarieLaforêt #FrenchFilms #ObraMaestraDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine

🎬 A pleno sol (René Clément, 1960)

Gente civilizada:
—A propósito: ¿has intentado matarme al salir del agua?
—Al salir del agua no, pero sí una o dos veces antes.
—¡Ah! Eso me interesa…
https://video.liberta.vip/w/b23deF3UqDtpVfkKrR7Dc7?warningTitle=0&controlBar=0

#CléoDe5à7 #AgnèsVarda #Cine #Movies #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #MastoFilms #FrenchFilms #ObrasMaestrasDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #TheVelvetUndergroundAndNico #IllBeYourMirror #Music #Musik #Musique #Música #PopRock #Rock #MastoMusic

Mis asociaciones de ideas / Connecting ideas

🎬 Film: Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cleo de 5 a 7, Agnès Varda, 1962)
🎸 Song: The Velvet Underground and Nico - I'll Be Your Mirror 🔊 🎶 🎧

https://video.liberta.vip/w/iXK3RBV1iR4HGbSAsnrzAS?warningTitle=0

#CléoDe5à7 #AgnèsVarda #Cine #Movies #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #MastoFilms #FrenchFilms #ObrasMaestrasDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #TheVelvetUndergroundAndNico #IllBeYourMirror #Music #Musik #Musique #Música #PopRock #Rock #MastoMusic

Mis asociaciones de ideas / Connecting ideas

🎬 Film: Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cleo de 5 a 7, Agnès Varda, 1962)
🎸 Song: The Velvet Underground and Nico - I'll Be Your Mirror 🔊 🎶 🎧

https://video.liberta.vip/w/iXK3RBV1iR4HGbSAsnrzAS?warningTitle=0

#CléoDe5à7 #AgnèsVarda #Cine #Movies #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #MastoFilms #FrenchFilms #ObrasMaestrasDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #TheVelvetUndergroundAndNico #IllBeYourMirror #Music #Musik #Musique #Música #PopRock #Rock #MastoMusic

Mis asociaciones de ideas / Connecting ideas

🎬 Film: Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cleo de 5 a 7, Agnès Varda, 1962)
🎸 Song: The Velvet Underground and Nico - I'll Be Your Mirror 🔊 🎶 🎧

https://video.liberta.vip/w/iXK3RBV1iR4HGbSAsnrzAS?warningTitle=0

#CléoDe5à7 #AgnèsVarda #Cine #Movies #Cinema #Films #Películas #Cinemastodon #MastoFilms #FrenchFilms #ObrasMaestrasDelCine #MovieMasterpiece #ClásicosDelCine #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #TheVelvetUndergroundAndNico #IllBeYourMirror #Music #Musik #Musique #Música #PopRock #Rock #MastoMusic

Mis asociaciones de ideas / Connecting ideas

🎬 Film: Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cleo de 5 a 7, Agnès Varda, 1962)
🎸 Song: The Velvet Underground and Nico - I'll Be Your Mirror 🔊 🎶 🎧

https://video.liberta.vip/w/iXK3RBV1iR4HGbSAsnrzAS?warningTitle=0

#NowWatching #ManBitesDog #AlterNativityStories
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#frenchfilm #frenchcinema #cinema #frenchmovie #film #cinemafrancais #cinematography #movie #frenchnewwave #movies #ais #nouvellevague #france #cinephile #catherinedeneuve #paris #frenchmovies #filmfrancais #frenchactress #french #cinephilecommunity #moviequotes #cin #frenchfilms #jeanlucgodard #moviescenes #classiccinema