Tournées Film Festival: Return of the Hero

Thursday / February 27, 2020 / 7 p.m.
Landis Cinema, Buck Hall

Burgundy, 1809. Only moments after the dashing Captain Neuville
has asked for the hand of aristocratic young Pauline Beaugrand, he
is summoned to join Napoleon’s troops in Austria. The captain rides
off, promising to write, but the months pass without any news. Finally,
Pauline’s older sister Elisabeth composes a forged letter in Neuville’s
name, hoping to cheer her lovelorn sister, without considering that
she will reply—and expect an answer. Elisabeth is soon pulled into
a web of deceit, inventing ever more outlandish stories to explain
Neuville’s extended absence. Her fake letters about his swashbuckling
adventures become the talk of the town. Finally, she writes a letter
suggesting that Neuville has died a hero’s death, freeing Pauline to
move on. Life goes back to normal… until Neuville reappears, as a
deserter and drunk who has every intention of benefitting from the
hero’s reputation Elisabeth has unwittingly built for him. The ensuing
face-off between Elisabeth and Neuville showcases the comedic
talents of two of France’s biggest stars, Academy Award winner Jean
Dujardin and César winner Mélanie Laurent, in a hilarious confrontation
over gender roles, honesty, and good storytelling. Seasoned with
a timely streak of feminism, this zesty period piece is one of the most
intelligent entertainments in recent French cinema.

Free for all! No ticket required.

The Tournées Festival is made possible by the FACE Foundation, Africana Studies, the Departments of Foreign Languages & Literatures, Film & Media Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and the International Student Association.