New French Shorts 2021

Back by popular demand! This annual showcase of some of the most exciting new cinematic voices from France includes the Oscar-nominated animated short “Genius Loci” and César Award winners “And Then the Bear” and “So What if the Goats Die?” Boasting festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, Berlinale, and beyond, this feature-length program of delightful, funny, charming, and provocative French shorts is sure to fill you with joie de vivre. New French Shorts 2021 is made available through Young French Cinema, a program of UniFrance and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.   “Genius Loci” (dir. Adrien Mérigeau, 16m). This Oscar®-nominated short centers on Reine, a young black woman and a loner. She sees within the urban chaos a mystical oneness that seems alive and guides her in her path to self-discovery and transformation. “By a Hair” (dir. Lauriane Escaffre and Yvonnick Muller, 21m). In three days, Elodie must take the hair removal exam for her beautician diploma. Her father would prefer she work with him in his butcher’s shop, but loves her so much that when her friend doesn’t show up to be her model for the exam, he reluctantly takes her place… with hysterical results.   “Haute Cuisine” (dir. Merryl Roche, 24m). Since Marie has joined the team at multi-starred chef Bruno Mercier’s restaurant, all she thinks about is improving herself. But Thomas, the sous-chef who manages the kitchen on a day-to-day basis, is wary of this possible rival. During her shift, Marie cuts herself, letting a few drops of blood fall into and mix with her sauce, giving new meaning to the term “blood rivals”.   “So What if the Goats Die?” (dir. Sofia Alaoui, 23m). Abdellah, a young shepherd living in the Atlas Mountains, is forced to brave the snow in order to get food and save his goats. Once he arrives at the village, he faces a supernatural phenomenon.   “And Then the Bear” (dir. Agnès Patron, 14m). In this fanciful animation, houses will burn through the night. Men and women will tremble. Hordes of children will come together and howl as they dance alone on the ashes like wild bears. It only takes one shout to wake them all from their slumber! “Sukar” (dir. Ilias El Faris, 10m).The beach in Casablanca is a playground for kids and the site of adolescent romantic encounters. But the police are always watching and no forbidden temptation is permitted. When a fight distracts their attention, two young lovers seize the opportunity to kiss.”Olla” (dir. Ariane Labed, 27m). Olla replied to an advertisement on a dating website for women from Eastern Europe. She has just moved in with Pierre who lives with his elderly mother. But nothing goes as planned.