Catherine Deneuve – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

PERSEPOLIS – Retroview by Susan Granger

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 Susan Granger animation, autobiographical, Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux, graphic novel, iran, marjane satrapi, persepolis, sony pictures classics

What’s unusual about this hand-drawn animated feature from France is that it tells an adult story from a child’s point-of-view. With the aid of French graphic artist Vincent Paronnaud, Iranian/French auteur Marjane Satrapi boldly details her very personal autobiography. Filmed primarily in stark black-and-white, except for brief scenes in color, it’s a monochromatic, simplistic narrative which delves into contemporary political history, including war, torture and execution. Persepolis is a stylized, sensitive 7, an often comic, yet heart-breaking, outspoken portrait of a young girl and a nation in turmoil.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK April 18, 2025: THE PRESIDENT’S WIFE

April 13, 2025April 22, 2025 Jennifer Merin Bernadette Chirac, betsy bozdech, Cate Marquis, Catherine Deneuve, cohen media group, Denis Podalydès, jennifer merin, Léa Domenach, leslie combemale, liz whittemore, loren king, Michel Vuillermoz, motw, Movie of the Week, nell minow, sherin nicole, The President’s Wife

Catherine Deneuve shines as iconic French First Lady Bernadette Chirac in director Léa Domenach’s sly dramedy The President’s Wife. Based in fact but taking plenty of liberties to tell the story of the woman who stoically stood by the side of France’s President Jacques Chirac no matter what blunders or missteps he made, it depicts Madame Bernadette as a canny, crafty strategist who was ultimately far more politically savvy than her notorious husband.

Reviews

THE PRESIDENT’S WIFE – Review by Loren King

April 7, 2025April 12, 2025 Loren King Bernadette Chirac, Catherine Deneuve, Denis Podalydès, Michel Vuillermoz, The President’s Wife

This wildly entertaining film blends stylish family soap opera with intriguing behind the scenes political drama, and gives the brilliant Catherine Deneuve a great late career role as Bernadette, the former First Lady of France. We are told from the start of the film that this is a fictionalized account of Bernadette Chirac’s life as wife of the notorious and corrupt conservative Jacques Chirac (a solid performance by Michel Vuillermoz), the former Paris mayor who became President of France from 1995 to 2007. Deneuve’s portrayal of Bernadette is equal parts Emma Thompson’s channeling of Hillary Clinton in Primary Colors and Glenn Close’s glowering shunned spouse in The Wife.

Reviews

AWFJ Presents LINES OF WELLINGTON – Review by Jeanne Wolf

October 21, 2022October 15, 2022 Jeanne Wolf 1810 Peninsular War, awfj presents, Catherine Deneuve, Film Movement, Isabelle Hupert, John Malkovich, Lines of Wellington, Valeria Sarmiento, Vincent Perez

Lines of Wellington is an historical epic in the most sweeping sense, yet it includes stories (vignettes) of ordinary people that give the drama of war a very human dimension. Conceived by beloved Chilean director Raul Ruiz the film was completed by his wife, filmmaker Valeria Sarmiento. Perhaps, the best way to experience the nearly three hours that fill the screen with battles, suffering, privilege, love and the struggle to survive is simply to let yourself get lost in the stunning panorama and not worry too much about the plot.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: Catherine Deneuve Honored at Venice Film Festival — Brandy McDonnell reports

August 23, 2022August 29, 2022 Brandy McDonnell Catherine Deneuve, Golden Lion, the week in women, twiw, venice film festival

French film icon Catherine Deneuve will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. Her selection for the honor was made by the board of La Biennale di Venezia, which embraced the proposal of the festival’s director, Alberto Barbera.

Reviews

THE TRUTH – Review by Brandy McDonnell

August 6, 2020August 7, 2020 Brandy McDonnell 0 Comments Catherine Deneuve, Ethan Hawke, Hirokazu Kore-eda, juliette binoche, the truth

The French-language family drama marks the first film written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda outside his native Japan. But “The Truth” has such an air of authenticity that it seems like the auteur, who won the 2018 Palme d’Or at France’s Cannes Film Festival for “Shoplifters,” has been making movies in Paris his whole life.

Reviews

THE TRUTH – Review by Sarah Ward

July 2, 2020July 4, 2020 Sarah Ward 0 Comments Catherine Deneuve, Clémentine Grenier, Ethan Hawke, Hirokazu Kore-eda, juliette binoche, the truth

The Truth is a classic addition to Hirokazu Kore-eda’s always-impressive resume. With greats such as Catherine Deneuve, Juliet Binoche and Ethan Hawke sharing frames, there’s a combination of looseness and depth to the movie’s central portrayals that’s trademark Kore-eda.

Reviews

THE TRUTH – Review by Martha K Baker

July 2, 2020July 2, 2020 Martha K. Baker (Archived Contributor) 0 Comments Catherine Deneuve, Hirokazu Kore-eda, juliette binoche, the truth

This story might have been more promising on paper than it is on film. Certainly, the cast promises more than any of the stars deliver. The director, Hirokazu Kore-eda, became known last year for his film Shoplifters. Those who thought that movie was overblown should not expect much from The Truth.

Reviews

THE TRUTH – Review by Martha K Baker

March 27, 2020March 29, 2020 Martha K. Baker (Archived Contributor) 0 Comments Catherine Deneuve, Hirokazu Koreeda, juliette binoch, the truth

Truth to tell, this story might have been more promising on paper than it ended up on film. Certainly, the cast promises more than any of the stars deliver. The director, Hirokazu Koreeda, became known last year for his film Shoplifters. Those who thought that movie was overblown will not expect much from The Truth.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: Odessa Film Fest Honors Catherine Deneuve – Brandy McDonnell reports

June 18, 2019June 20, 2019 Brandy McDonnell 0 Comments Catherine Deneuve, odessa international film festival, the week in women, twiw

French film icon Catherine Deneuve will collect the Golden Duke, a lifetime achievement award at Odessa International Film Festival. Scheduled for July 12-20, the festival will include a retrospective of films Deneuve has starred in over her more than 60-year career.

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