The Barbarians

Director: Julie Delpy

Cast: Julie Delpy, Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte

All is well in Paimpont, Brittany, where harmony reigns among the locals. There’s Joëlle, the schoolteacher who’s inclined to lecture people; Anne, who owns a convenience store and likes a good aperitif; Hervé, a plumber from Alsace who’s even more Breton than the locals; and Johnny, the local ranger and Johnny Hallyday fan.

In a show of solidarity, the town enthusiastically votes to host some Ukrainian refugees. But the refugees, it turns out, aren’t so Ukrainian after all. They’re Syrian! And some of the folks in this charming little town aren’t very pleased with having them for neighbors. 

So, when all is said and done, who are the barbarians?

Awards: Angoulême Francophone Film Festival 2024, Opening Gala