'When Autumn Falls' François Ozon’s mystery thriller film screens in Tipperary this month

François Ozon, that ever-unpredictable provocateur of French cinema, returns with When Autumn Falls, a character-driven drama that whispers of Claude Chabrol at his most measured and mischievous. The film will be screened at The Source Arts Centre in Thurles on Wednesday November 5, at 8 p.m., with tickets priced at €10 for general admission and €5 for Film Club members.

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Set in the tranquil heart of Burgundy, the story follows Michelle, portrayed with quiet authority by 81-year-old Hélène Vincent. Her routine retirement is punctuated by visits from her family and the occasional stirrings of long-buried regrets. Ozon orchestrates an intricate psychological dance, hinting at menace while allowing tenderness and sentiment to surface in equal measure.

Michelle’s world is populated by a cast of complex companions, including her lifelong friend Marie-Claude, played by Josiane Balasko, and her recently divorced daughter Valérie, brought vividly to life by Ludivine Sagnier. Ozon does not rush his revelations; instead, he cultivates a mood of suspense that is as much about emotional consequence as it is about plot.

The film flirts with horror in the Chabrol tradition but tempers it with an unusual gentleness. Michelle, a woman capable of secrecy and occasional ruthlessness, navigates a world where personal choices ripple outward in unexpected ways. The tension is nuanced, the unease delicate, and the narrative delights in ambiguity rather than outright revelation.

At 102 minutes, this French production is a study in contrasts. Gentle yet unsettling, tender yet morally intricate. It is at it's core a mystery drama that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. When Autumn Falls promises a screening that is quietly suspenseful, and emotionally resonant.

Tickets available to book via the following link: Book Tickets.

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