Alice and the Mayor

EXTENDED 1 EXTRA DAY! Available for rental: Saturday, June 20, 2020 @ 6am PST → Wednesday, June 24 @ 6am PST

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The mayor of Lyon, France’s second-biggest city, Paul Théraneau (Fabrice Luchini, also in The Mystery of Henri Pick, streaming this year at the SFFF), is going through an existential crisis: after 30 years in politics, he is running on empty, out of ideas. To fix his problem, his staff brings a brilliant young philosopher, Alice Heimann, into his inner circle. In contrast with Théraneau’s doubts and inertia, Alice (Anaïs Demoustier, winner of the 2020 César for Best Actress, also in Gloria Mundi, streaming this year at the SFFF) possesses the confidence of youth. A dialogue begins between this unlikely duo about how abstract ideas can be made to fit practical realities. But will it be enough to revive Théraneau’s idealism and ambition?

Not Rated (all audiences).

Original title: Alice et le maire

Reviews

Sophomore director Nicolas Pariser follows his politically engaged debut, “The Great Game,” with an even deeper plunge into the disconnect between political theory and the workings of government in the unmistakably French “Alice and the Mayor.” Jay Weissberg - Variety

A touching look into the dysfunctional workings of the corridors of power at the Lyon town hall…a lively, touching exploration of the way we live now, seen through two generations. Classy but accessible. Lisa Nesselson - France 24

With minimal cynicism, but a healthy dose of irony, Pariser questions the true purpose of power. Blai Morell - Fotogramas