Francofonia

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Francofonia

Released Apr 1, 2016

1h 27m

Documentary

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In 1940, museum director Jacques Jaujard (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing) and German officer Count Franz Wolff-Metternich (Benjamin Utzerath) work together to protect Louvre artworks from the Nazis.

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Critics Consensus

Francofonia may test the patience of the uninitiated, but viewers willing to delve into a beautifully filmed look at the intersection of art and war will be richly rewarded.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

There's an unlovely self-importance to Sokurov's droning diatribe that rather distracts from the cultural significance of the subject.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 13, 2016

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

In praise of art, but also a reminder that we need to treasure what we have.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2016

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

This is graceful and provocative filmmaking. It works both as art history and as an account of wartime Paris under German occupation.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 10, 2016

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Carlota Mosegui

Otroscines.com

The filmmaker reveals the hypocritical mentality of the Nazis who safeguarded the Louvre while they bombed and destroyed hundreds of European cities. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Aug 16, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Categorizing it is nearly impossible, but breaking it down is a rewarding challenge. I think the film could best be called Sokurov’s canvass, and on it he presents a collage of thought, reason, and reflection.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

Francofonia is less of a swooning and immersive cinematic experience than a free-range, multi-media essay about the survival of art and culture in an inherently destructive world.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 19, 2020

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Julian Rex M

Lacking the emotional resonance of Sokurov's other museum romp while doubling down on the technical prowess, Francofonia is a passionately delivered love letter to the purity and value of European art that is only occasionally hindered by a thinly written, even painfully unfocused narrative.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Audience Member

Loved the shots of and inspired by the Louvre. Less engaged by the WWII scenes, though the true story itself was interesting. Left completely cold by the Marianne/Napoleon stuff, and the directorial voiceover us a pretentious irritant.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

6.0/10, my review: http://wp.me/p1eXom-2OB

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Unexpectedly delightful! A bit formulaic at moments, but a great feel good movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Reminiscing the Louvre.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A strange mix of avant garde documentary/docu-drama that seems to exist mostly because Sokurov got the same access to the Louvre that he got to the Hermitage for Russian Ark, but didn't actually have anything to say. If you haven't followed the relevant period of history closely, there's a couple of interesting facts that crop up towards the end that infuriatingly aren't followed up.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Aleksandr Sokurov

Director

Louis-Do de Lencquesaing

Jacques Jaujard

Benjamin Utzerath

Franz Wolff-Metternich

Vincent Nemeth

Napoléon Bonaparte

Johanna Korthals Altes

Marianne

Andrey Chelpanov

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Synopsis

In 1940, museum director Jacques Jaujard (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing) and German officer Count Franz Wolff-Metternich (Benjamin Utzerath) work together to protect Louvre artworks from the Nazis.

Director: Aleksandr Sokurov
Producer: Pierre-Olivier Bardet, Thomas Kufus, Els Vandevorst
Screenwriter: Aleksandr Sokurov
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Idéale Audience, Arte France
Genre: Documentary, History, Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 1, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $290.1K
Runtime: 1h 27m

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