Every year, the Washington, DC International Film Festival features many new and exciting films from across the globe, including from local filmmakers. This year, the festival returns with a fervor that reflects a collective love for films. The heart of the festival has always been driven by its attendees’ vibrant energy, each of whom has a unique perspective and a shared passion for films. The DC Filmfest celebrates the spirit of community and connection with this year’s edition. Each film has been selected for its artistic merit and its power to transport, enlighten, entertain, and remind the audience of the profound way artworks can impact our lives and the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Opening Film<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Widow Clicquot<\/em>, <\/strong>Thomas Napper, France\/UK, 2023, 90 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thursday, April 18 | <\/strong>7:00pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embassy of France| <\/strong>$45<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set in France during the Napoleonic Wars, Widow Clicquot<\/em> tells the true story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (1777\u20131866), the \u201cGrande Dame of Champagne,\u201d who, at the age of 20, became Madame Clicquot after marrying the scion of a winemaking family. Although their marriage was arranged, a timeless love blossomed between Barbe-Nicole (Haley Bennett) and her poetic, unconventional, and erratic husband, Fran\u00e7ois (Tom Sturridge). In the weeds after her spouse\u2019s untimely death, and a mother to daughter Cl\u00e9mentine, Barbe-Nicole was still enamored and enthralled with Fran\u00e7ois\u2019 avant-garde experiments. Dubbed \u201cVeuve\u201d (the French word for widow) at age 27, she resolved to protect her family\u2019s legacy and boldly challenge the men\u2014as well as the state\u2014set on stripping her of her vineyards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Determined to advance her husband\u2019s theories, Barbe-Nicole wagered on the next harvest and her own blend of sparkling wine. Challenged by the unpredictability of the seasons, the aggressive competitor Monsieur Mo\u00ebt, and the Napoleonic Code of 1804 barring women from running businesses, the elegant and luminous widow was to succeed or lose everything. Director Thomas Napper entwines a sparkling story of flourishing female entrepreneurship with an account of doomed lovers whose legacy reverberates in the bubbles. The film is a toast to the perseverance of resolute women and to Veuve Clicquot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing Film<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Trouble with Jessica<\/em>, <\/strong>Matt Winn, UK, 2023, 90 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunday, April 28 |<\/strong> <\/strong> 4:00pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n Landmark\u2019s E Street Cinema, followed by a reception at Penn Social |<\/strong> $25<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this uproarious, clever comedy, Sarah and Tom, a financially strained couple, face unexpected chaos when an uninvited guest, Jessica, mysteriously passes away during their dinner party. Faced with the daunting task of concealing Jessica\u2019s untimely demise, Sarah and Tom, along with friends Richard and Beth, embark on a hilarious scheme to maintain the illusion of normalcy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n