Deborah Walker

Deborah is an Associate Professor of French at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland, specializing in cinema and translation. Her research spans French, New Zealand, and Māori cinema, with a growing focus on Indigenous film. She has subtitled Māori and NZ films, translated a Māori novel into French, and co-directed a documentary on Kanak writer Déwé Gorodey. Since 2018, she has co-directed the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, curating and translating Māori short films for international festivals.

Pierre Pillet

French cinema enthusiast and language teacher, Pierre Pillet has a passion for exploring how film reflects and questions our humanity. Through the lens of powerful storytelling, he guides audiences in uncovering the ethical dilemmas, emotional landscapes, and social contexts that define iconic French films. His insightful approach invites us to examine our own moral compass, confront uncomfortable truths, and appreciate the enduring force of memory, empathy, and resilience. In times of global uncertainty, cinema becomes more than art — it becomes a mirror and a call to reflection.

Claude Sautet (1924–2000) was a celebrated French film director renowned for his sensitive, humanist storytelling and keen observation of everyday life. Known for his focus on relationships, emotions, and the complexities of ordinary people, he gained acclaim with films like Les Choses de la vie (1970) and Un coeur en hiver (1992), which combined subtle character studies with elegant, understated cinematic style.

1st session : Tuesday 14th October

Les Choses de la vie (1970)
A deeply moving French drama that examines love, fate, and the fragility of human relationships.

Synopsis: Pierre, a successful architect, reflects on his life and relationships after a serious car accident. Torn between his passionate lover and his devoted wife, he confronts questions of love, choice, and destiny, in a poignant story about the fleeting nature of happiness and human connection.

Session info:

📅 Tuesday, October 14th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Alliance Française Auckland
🎬 French film with English subtitles
🎙️ Special Guest: Pierre Pillet

🎟️ Tickets:

• AF Members: $5
• Non-Members: $10

2nd session : Tuesday 11th November

Max et les Ferrailleurs (1971)
A gripping French crime drama that blends suspense, moral dilemmas, and human psychology.

Synopsis: Max, a clever and morally conflicted police inspector, sets out to trap a group of small-time crooks known as the “ferrailleurs.” As he becomes entangled in their world, Max must navigate the fine line between justice and manipulation, leading to tense confrontations and unexpected consequences.

Session info:

📅 Tuesday, November 11th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Alliance Française Auckland
🎬 French film with English subtitles
🎙️ Special Guest: Deborah Walker

🎟️ Tickets:

• AF Members: $5
• Non-Members: $10

Bookings available here

3rd session : Tuesday 2nd December

César et Rosalie (1972)
A poignant French romantic drama exploring love, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships.

Synopsis: Rosalie is caught in a love triangle between César, a passionate and free-spirited man, and David, her calm and devoted former lover. As emotions and loyalties are tested, the film delicately portrays the joys and pains of love and friendship.

Session info:

📅 Tuesday, December 2nd
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Alliance Française Auckland
🎬 French film with English subtitles
🎙️ Special Guest: Pierre Pillet

🎟️ Tickets:

• AF Members: $5
• Non-Members: $10

Bookings available here