The latest from the jackpot writing-directing team Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano (Les Intouchables; The Specials) is a buddy comedy which finds a wry and original perspective on the serious theme of climate change denialism. Albert (Pio Marmaï) and Bruno (Jonathan Cohen) are unlikely heroes: their unscrupulous, excessive and addictive lifestyles bring them to thievery and homelessness; in fact they meet when Bruno attempts to steal Albert’s TV. They attend an eco activist meeting for the free drinks, but stick around when the charming Valentine (Noémie Merlant, Portrait of a Lady on Fire) takes an interest in them. Soon they’re participating in demonstrations and applying their skill-sets to saving the planet, but only to get close to the girl…
Hilarious… the filmmakers pull hard on the comedy lever and lean on their very sure, sincere and caring sense of empathy in order to convey their political message.
Fabien Lemercier, Cineuropa
There’s a simple charm to A Difficult Year as it makes some really complex social statements wrapped inside a charming love story and comedy of errors that is quite hard to look away from.
David Voigt, In the Seats
Éric Toledano & Olivier Nakache
Pio Marmaï, Jonathan Cohen, Noémie Merland, Mathieu Amalric
France
2023
In French with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Credits
Screenwriter
Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Cinematography
Mélodie Préel
Editor
Dorian Rigal-Ansous
Original Music
Grandbrothers, GoGo Penguin
Production Design
Mila Préli
Also Playing
Misericordia
Edgy, eccentric, and unapologetically queer, this film goes from drama to comedy without putting a foot wrong. Sex and murder are the subjects, and writer-director Alain Guiraudie (Stranger by the Lake) mines them for suspense and outrageous laughs.
The Stand
This rousing doc explores a 1985 dispute over logging in the Haida Gwaii. Taking us from canny retrospective commentary to the thick of the action, director Chris Auchter employs animation and a wealth of archival footage to riveting effect.
The Celebration
Our Premium Pick series affords VIFF+ Premium members the chance to share a movie of their choice. This month Edward Pascal gives us one of the key films of the late 90s, a lacerating black comedy, the most influential of the Danish Dogme 95 movement.
