Robert French Film Festival
Sponsored by the Jane M. & Bruce P. Robert Charitable Foundation
Co-presented by Cinema St. Louis
Cinema St. Louis proudly presents the 16th Annual Robert Classic French Film Festival, a cherished cultural event that pays homage to St. Louis’ Gallic heritage and France’s rich cinematic legacy. Sponsored by the Jane M. & Bruce P. Robert Charitable Foundation and presented by the Saint Louis Art Museum, this festival will occur at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre from April 12-14 and 19-21.
This year’s festival theme, “The French Family,” promises to explore the intricate tapestry of familial bonds depicted throughout the history of French cinema. Audiences can expect a captivating journey through diverse portrayals of family dynamics, offering insights into the multifaceted nature of human connections.
Kicking off the festivities is the highly acclaimed documentary April In France, which made its world premiere at last year’s St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF). Filmmaker David Boaretto will grace the event and co-host the Opening Night Reception on Friday, April 12th at 6:30 pm. Boaretto will also treat attendees to a screening of his chosen classic, François Truffaut’s timeless masterpiece The 400 Blows.
This year’s classic is Jean Cocteau’s 1948 film The Storm Within (Les Parents Terribles). Cocteau is considered one of the great French poets, playwrights, novelists, and visual artists of the 20th century, and he considered this his greatest film.
Each screening will be enriched by insightful introductions and post-film discussions led by esteemed film and French scholars and critics. All films will be presented in their original French language with English subtitles, ensuring an authentic and accessible viewing experience for all attendees.
Embracing the festival’s spirit, Cinema St. Louis Director of Festivals and Education Emmett Williams shared his enthusiasm: “With this year’s films, we wanted to dig into the history of French cinema to explore the many ways the idea of family has been portrayed. “There are so many layers to the idea of family, and I hope we could, at the very least, start the conversation about what that means.”