Aurelia Petit Movies

As a warm and gentle human fable with a leftwing political undercurrent, the French-language picture Looking for Cheyenne concerns two women passionately in love with one another, and yet hopelessly separated. Journalist Cheyenne (Mila Dekker) is reeling - not only from a split with one of the great loves of her life, high school science prof Sonia (Aurelia Petit), but from a recent and unexpected job loss - the product of her company's decision to downsize. When she finds it next to impossible to land another job, Cheyenne eventually throws up her hands in disgust and drops out altogether. Refusing to live by society's constraints, and rejecting every government "handout" that comes down the pike, Cheyenne lives without running water, electricity, or groceries, preferring instead to live off of discarded vegetables that she discovers in trashcans and to light her residence with candles. Meanwhile, Sonia keeps her job, but enters an affair with a freewheeling young man, Pierre. An anarchist who spends his time passing out flyers full of anarchist catchphrases and taglines, he readily admits to Sonia that he could care less about her pansexuality and is willing to accept her on her own terms. Sonia's affair represents an attempt to drown the sorrow out of her life, for she - like Cheyenne - is still destroyed and devastated by the recent breakup. As each woman grapples with a unique outlet for her sorrow, eccentric and endearing characters waltz in and out of their lives and form various romantic couplings; these include a wealthy middle-aged woman of a predatory nature (Guilaine Londez) ; a comely and naïve co-ed who decides to stage her own form of social rebellion (Eleonore Michelin); an affable and ebullient Russian (Miglen Mirtchev), and a man who believes in returning to the soil (Laurence Cote). Director Valerie Minetto thus weaves together a giant life tapestry composed of joys and sorrows, unexpected treasures and resounding disappointments. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Directed by Christophe Ruggia, Les Diables (The Devils) chronicles the struggle of an autistic girl and her brother trying to survive without their parents. Chloe (Adele Haenel) is 13, and has been profoundly damaged from a life of abandonment -- so much so that she refuses to be to be physically touched, and never speaks. Her brother, Joseph (Vincent Rottiers), despite being slightly younger, has taken a fiercely protective stance with his sister. Street-smart and wiser than his years, Joseph hopes that they'll eventually find a family who will take them both in. Though their situation forces them to steal, the authorities catch them and leave the two siblings inside of a home for disturbed youth. At first, Joseph tries to escape, but puts his plans on hold when it looks as if a doctor is making progress with Chloe. Eventually, however, fights with the other orphans and a shocking piece of news force the children to go on the run once more. Les Diables was extremely well-received at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

When the Cat's Away is a gentle French comedy that explores the problems and anxieties of contemporary urbanites. When Chloe (Garance Clavel), a young Parisian, decides to take a long-overdue vacation, she has to find someone to look after Gris-Gris, her beloved cat. Everyone, including her gay male roommate, refuses to help her, but she finally makes an arrangement with the elderly Madame Renée (Renée Le Calm), who often watches over other peoples' cats and dogs. However, when Chloe comes back, Madame Renée tells her that unfortunately the cat has been lost, and the unlucky owner goes on a search for her dear animal friend. While looking for the cat, she meets many colorful characters who populate the neighborhood. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide