Meet the Barbarians

Les Barbares

TIFF65: Greek Premiere

The latest work of one of the most prolific icons of French and American indie cinema transports us to a pristine environment. 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 enjoys 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? C.P. Cavafy meets the frenzy of our contemporary globalized society in a superb film that highlights all those things that “were a kind of solution” to this day.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Julie Delpy

Script: Julie Delpy, Matthieu Rumani, Nicolas Slomka

Cinematography: Georges Lechaptois

Editing: Camille Delprat

Sound: Julien Sicart, Tristan Pontecaille, Victor Praud

Music: Philippe Jakko

Actors: Julie Delpy, Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte, Ziad Bakri, Jean-Charles Clichet, India Hair, Dalia Naous, Mathieu Demy, Marc Fraize, Rita Hayek, Fares Helou, Emilie Gavois-Kahn, Albert Delpy, Brigitte Roüan

Production: The Film

Producers: Michael Gentile

Costumes: Amandine Cros

Production Design: Quentin Millot

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: France

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 102'

Contact: Charades

Julie Delpy

Julie Delpy is a Paris-born actress, director, screenwriter, and musician. She has acted in more than 30 films. She’s written, directed, and starred in the features 2 Days in Paris, The Countess, Le Skylab, 2 Days in New York, Lolo, and My Zoe. Meet the Barbarians is her latest film.