The Ciné Lumière, at London’s French Institute, is proud to announce the first details of the French Film Festival 2025. The 33rd Edition will open with the UK premiere of The Great Arch (L’Inconnu de la grande arche), written and directed by Stéphane Demoustier on Wednesday 12 November. This acclaimed new drama, based on a true story, stars Claes Bang, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Xavier Dolan, Swann Arlaud and Michel Fau.
The Great Arch Opening Night Gala will be followed by a Q&A with Stéphane Demoustier and special guests, soon to be announced. This celebrated monument to humanitarian ideals is one of the most spectacular in France, and this portrayal of one person’s vision, principles and integrity, undermined by politics and practicalities, is recreated to stunning visual effect. The Great Arch was a compelling addition to the Un Certain Regard Official Selection in the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
In 1982 the French President, François Mitterrand, launched an international competition for the design of the Great Arch of La Défense, a structure to stand aligned with the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. Otto von Spreckelsen (Claes Bang), a little-known Danish architect and academic, won the high-profile commission. On arriving in Paris, the 53-year-old designer was supported by Mitterrand in leading the project, but his ideas soon clash with budgetary constraints and conflicting politics.
Raïssa Lahcine, Deputy Director of the French Institute and Audiovisual Attaché says:
“It is to my great delight that we will launch this year’s edition of the French Film Festival London with Stéphane Demoustier’s UK Premiere of The Great Arch. Through a twist on the portrayal of an outsider whose vision and principles disrupt the status quo, Stéphane Demoustier masterfully weaves together the vision of an architect with the constraints and the vicissitudes of politics. Featuring an impeccable cast, the story behind the construction of La Grande Arche in Paris reminds us of the importance of art and culture in our complicated world. We hope the film will resonate with audiences throughout the wider programme.”
On being selected to launch the French Film Festival London, Stéphane Demoustier says:
“I am thrilled that The Great Arch has been chosen to launch the French Film Festival London this year! This is a French story. And European. That of a Danish architect who wins an anonymous and international competition for the construction of an emblematic building in Paris. This true story calls for an open-minded approach to creative collaboration and to inspire all.”
The French Film Festival London is supported by the Trust of the Friends of the French Institute and is presented in collaboration with the French Film Festival UK.
Further news of this year’s outstanding Festival will follow soon, with details of inspiring features, filmmaker Q&As and special events for families. Members of the French Institute will be able to book tickets to the French Film Festival London during an advance booking window; for regular updates sign-up to the newsletter.
The FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL LONDON at Ciné Lumière will run from: 12-23 NOVEMBER 2025
Synopsis
L’INCONNU DE LA GRANDE ARCHE / THE GREAT ARCH
Dir: Stéphane Demoustier Cast: Claes Bang, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Xavier Dolan, Swann Arlaud
Country: France, Denmark | 2025 Duration: 105 mins
1982. French President François Mitterrand decides to launch an international architectural competition for the flagship project of his mandate: the Great Arch of La Défense, aligned with the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. Against all odds, Otto von Spreckelsen, a Danish architect, wins the competition. Overnight, this 53-year-old man, unknown in France, arrives in Paris where he is propelled at the helm of this pharaonic project. While the architect intends to build the Great Arch exactly as he envisioned, his ideas quickly clash with realistic constraints and the vicissitudes of politics.
Press contacts
ENG: Ilona Cheshire: ilonacheshire@gmail.com
FR: Natacha Antolini: natacha.antolini@institut-francais.org.uk
Venue
Ciné Lumière, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT / 020 7871 3515
www.institut-francais.org.uk / box.office@institut-francais.org.uk
The French Film Festival UK
The French Film Festival is the UK’s largest programme of modern French cinema, dedicated to sharing exclusive access to premieres and titles that may not otherwise be seen on a big screen. Additional highlights will include a strand of restored classic titles and expertly crafted education programmes for schools and universities across the country.
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