Important Notice: Because of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Missouri, St. Louis city and county have mandated that all people, even those who are fully vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public spaces. Masks will therefore be required for attendees at both venues for the Robert Classic French Film Festival. Depending on the situation in mid-August, the venues may also require social distancing, so attendees should be aware that they may not be allowed to sit together.

The 13th Annual Robert Classic French Film Festival — presented by TV5MONDE and produced by Cinema St. Louis — celebrates St. Louis’ Gallic heritage and France’s cinematic legacy. This year’s featured films span the decades from the 1920s through the 1980s, offering a revealing overview of French cinema. 

The fest annually includes significant restorations, and this year features a quintet of such works: Melvin Van Peebles’ “The Story of a Three-Day Pass,” Diane Kurys’ “Entre Nous,” Joseph Losey’s “Mr. Klein,” Jacques Deray’s “La piscine,” and the extended director’s cut of Jean-Jacques Beineix’s “Betty Blue.”

The fest also provides one of the few opportunities available in St. Louis to see films projected the old-school, time-honored way, with Agnes Varda’s “Vagabond” screening from a 35mm print. 

As part of our year-long Golden Anniversaries programming, which features films celebrating their 50th anniversaries, the fest includes a pair of films from 1971: François Truffaut’s “Two English Girls” and Claude Jutra’s French-Canadian “Mon oncle Antoine.” 

Completing the fest is our pandemic-delayed tribute to the late Anna Karina, who died in December 2019: Jean-Luc Godard’s essential “Vivre sa vie.” 

Every program features introductions and discussions by film or French scholars and critics.

Venues

On Aug. 13-15: Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium, Forsyth Boulevard (two blocks west of Skinker Boulevard) MAP

On Aug. 20-22 and 27-29: Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium in Webster Hall, 470 E. Lockwood Ave. MAP

Tickets

Tickets are $14 for general admission; $11 for students and Cinema St. Louis members. Advance tickets can be purchased through the Cinema St. Louis website.

Passes

Two types of passes are available: Five-Film Passes are $60, $45 for CSL members; All-Access Passes are $100, $80 for CSL members. Click here to purchase passes.

Parking

Washington U.: Free parking is available on the street and in the yellow-zone sections of lots along Forsyth Boulevard and in the nearby East End parking facility; no permits are required on weekends.

Webster U.: Free parking is available in the lots both in front of and behind Webster Hall; no permits are required on weekends.