The Cinematheque

France

“Elegant … Fontaine’s drama captures the composer’s life with passion, intelligence and wit.”

Ian Haydn Smith, IFF Rotterdam 2024

Paris, les années folles. Iconoclastic and acclaimed Russian choreographer Ida Rubinstein chooses Maurice Ravel to compose the music for her next ballet. She wants something bold, something sensual. Well known and established, Ravel nonetheless finds himself unable to write anything. Reliving his life’s memories, facing his old loves and personal failures, the composer will eventually give birth to his greatest composition, Boléro (1928). This sumptuous biographical drama directed by Anne Fontaine (Coco avant Chanel, The Innocents) captures the troubled composer in the process of devising one of the most famous pieces of music ever written. Raphaël Personnaz stars as Ravel, while the legendary Jeanne Balibar, a collaborator of Assayas, Desplechin, and Rivette, as well as a featured cast member of Lost Illusions (EUFF 2022), appears as Rubinstein.

In French with English subtitles

“Gently deconstructed … [Ravel’s] quiet peculiarities are sensitively underplayed by Raphaël Personnaz.” Jessica Kiang, Variety

Streaming
December 1 (Sunday) through
December 15 (Sunday)

To stream this film:
Follow this link to the virtual platform.
Purchase a ticket for $12 (plus tax) or purchase a multi-film pass (details below). 

Once rented, you will have until December 15 to start the film. After the film is started, you will have 72 hours to finish watching it.

If you are having technical issues with the stream, please click here.
You can also contact EUFF directly by emailing info@​euffonline.​ca.

This film is available to stream in Canada only. 

Five Virtual Film Bundle: $50 (plus tax)
Online Festival Pass: $100 (plus tax) 

Please note: Tickets to in-person screenings do not include access to online EUFF offerings, nor vice versa.