Kechiche’s “Mektoub” Leads Wave of French Films Exploring Complex Family bonds
Sète,France – A surge of new French cinema is dissecting the multifaceted nature of familial relationships,moving beyond customary bloodlines to explore chosen families,fractured histories,and unexpected caregiving roles. Leading this trend is Abdellatif Kechiche’s Mektoub, My Love. Canto Due, the latest installment in his sprawling trilogy, alongside Romane Bohringer’s tell Him I Love Him, Mario martone’s May My Will be Done (original title Out), and Nathan Ambrosioni’s The Angel’s Egg (original title The Children Are Fine). These films collectively offer a poignant reflection on connection, responsibility, and the search for belonging in contemporary society.
The release of these four films within a short timeframe signals a growing interest in narratives that challenge conventional family structures and delve into the emotional complexities of human connection. For audiences grappling with evolving definitions of family and the increasing prevalence of non-traditional relationships, these stories offer both resonance and a space for contemplation. The films’ exploration of themes like reconciliation, inherited trauma, and the burdens of caregiving are particularly relevant in a world marked by social fragmentation and shifting societal norms.
Kechiche’s Mektoub, My Love. Canto Due marks a shift for the director, arriving ten years after his controversial palme d’Or winner, The Life of Adèle. The new film, following Canto One (2018) and Interlude (2019), aims for reconciliation, offering a lighter tone and a self-reflective approach to filmmaking while retaining the sensory intensity and “light cruelty” that characterize his work.
Romane Bohringer’s Tell Him I Love Him sees the actress tracing the life of a mother she barely knew, embarking on a personal and cinematic journey of discovery. Meanwhile, Mario Martone‘s may My Will Be Done centers on Goliarda Sapienza’s character forging unexpected bonds with young prisoners, exploring themes of mentorship and maternal instinct. The Angel’s Egg by Nathan ambrosioni presents a more immediate familial challenge, as Camille Cottin’s character unexpectedly finds herself raising her nephew and niece.
