From May 31 to September 6, Albertine Foundation and Villa Albertine’s beloved free outdoor French film festival, Films on the Green, will return to parks across Manhattan and Brooklyn, featuring 11 captivating films that celebrate the thrill, competition, and triumph of sports.
From the adrenaline-fueled matches of boxing (Air of Paris) to the graceful strokes of artistic swimming (Sink or Swim), the festival’s lineup offers a diverse array of sports films and stories that will resonate with audiences of all ages and interests.
Experience the resilience of real-life soccer legends Marinette Pichon (Marinette) and Salif Keïta Traoré (The Golden Ball), or dive into the high-stakes world of championship tournaments like Roland-Garros (Final Set) and the Tour de France (Les Cinq Tulipes Rouges and The Triplets of Belleville).
Join us for an unforgettable cinematic journey centered on the power and passion of sports, set against the backdrop of New York City’s beautiful parks!
Free and open to the public. Registration is recommended but not required.Films begin at sunset. All films have English subtitles.
#FilmsOnTheGreen | Follow Films on the Green:
All films are shown with English subtitles. Screenings at sunset.Curated by Nathalie Charles, Program Officer, in charge of Films on the Green.
May 31, 2024Central Park – Cedar Hill
In their local swimming pool, Bertrand, Marcus, Simon, and their comrades—men in their forties teetering on the brink of mid-life crises—gather under the somewhat stern guidance of Delphine, a former swimming champion. Together, they embark on an unconventional journey: mastering synchronized swimming, a discipline predominantly associated with women. Despite facing skepticism and ridicule from their peers, this audacious challenge becomes a beacon of purpose in their lives.
June 7, 2024Washington Square Park
Once hailed as a young tennis prodigy, Thomas’ dreams of a successful career in the sport never fully materialized. Now, at 37, he resolves to make a comeback at the prestigious French Open in Roland-Garros, despite his declining physical fitness and a shattered knee. Defying the warnings from his wife Eve and mother Judith, Thomas persists, confronting his inner demons and navigating the fiercely competitive qualifying rounds to earn his place in the tournament.
June 14, 2024Washington Square Park
Summer 1946. The Cousteau family—Jacques, his wife Simone, and their two children Philippe and Jean-Michel—reside in their beautiful house by the Mediterranean Sea. By day they dive, exploring the depths of the ocean, while by night they watch the stars. It’s paradise on Earth. But Jacques is never content. He longs to explore the world beneath the sea and believes in the virtues of progress. With his invention, the Aqualung, his recently acquired vessel, the Calypso, and a crew of free-spirited adventurers led by his wife, Jacques is ready to delve where no man has been before…
June 21, 2024WNYC Transmitter Park, Brooklyn
Antoinette, a dedicated schoolteacher, eagerly awaits her summer holiday with Vladimir, her married lover, and the father of one of her students. But when Vladimir cancels due to a surprise hiking trip planned by his wife in the Cévennes National Park, Antoinette’s disappointment turns into determination. Following in their footsteps, she sets off on an adventure, with an unlikely companion, a protective donkey named Patrick, by her side.
June 28, 2024J. Hood Wright Park
Champion, a melancholy boy adopted by his grandmother, Madame Souza, discovers his passion for cycling. Under her guidance, he trains relentlessly, becoming a cycling prodigy. When he competes in the Tour de France, he’s kidnapped by two mysterious men. Determined to rescue him, Madame Souza and her faithful dog Bruno embark on a journey to find him, leading them to the bustling city of Belleville.
July 5, 2024Seward Park
Marinette Pichon has soccer in her blood. Raised by a courageous mother who had to cope with a violent husband, she overcomes difficulties and forges an unfailing determination. While juggling odd jobs with her sporting career, she is selected for the French national team and then spotted by a major American club. And so, Marinette sets off for the United States with her mother, to pursue her dream of becoming the best player in the world.
July 12, 2024Seward Park
In 1954 Paris, Victor Le Garrec, a retired boxer, pours his unfulfilled dreams into training young talents at his gym. His hopes soar when he spots potential in André Ménard, a railway worker. Offering to mentor him, Victor faces resistance from his wife, Blanche. Meanwhile, André becomes entangled in a passionate affair with Corinne, a wealthy woman, diverting his focus from training. As his heart and ambitions clash, André must weigh his love against his boxing aspirations.
July 19, 2024Riverside Park – Pier I
A police investigator named Colonelle and Commissaire Honoré Ricoul team up to unravel the mystery behind five murders during the 1948 Tour de France. Each victim, a champion wearing the yellow jersey, is found with a red tulip—the killer’s chilling signature—by their side. Colonelle and Ricoul must race against time to stop the elusive killer before they strike again.
July 26, 2024Riverside Park – Pier I
In the heart of Guinea, 12-year-old Bandian, known as “Turbo Makono” for his lightning speed, dreams of soccer stardom. Gifted a genuine leather ball by a visiting French doctor, Bandian’s journey kicks off as he flees to Conakry, the capital. There, his remarkable talent catches the eye of scouts, propelling him onto the national team. With his eyes set on the horizon, Bandian is determined to chase his soccer dreams to the fullest.
Ride Above (Tempête)
September 5, 2024 (TBD)Columbia University – Low Plaza
Raised among horses on her parents’ stud farm, Zoé dreams of becoming a jockey. She finds pure joy in riding, especially with Belle-Intrigante, the prized mare. With the birth of Tempête, Zoé sees her chance to become a champion. However, tragedy strikes when Tempête accidentally injures Zoé, leaving her unable to walk. Now facing her darkest moment, Zoé must summon the strength to turn her shattered dreams into a triumphant reality.
September 6, 2024Msgr. McGolrick Park, Brooklyn
Frankie-Four-Eyes and Zac, the new kid on the block, go head-to-head in a traditional sled race through the village. When Frankie loses miserably due to a fault with his supercar, he is convinced that his opponent has cheated and is determined to prove it. When Zac challenges him to a rematch with high stakes, Frankie must confront his pride and overcome betrayal to emerge victorious. In a race that goes beyond sleds and snow, Frankie learns the true meaning of going beyond oneself.
FILMS ON THE GREEN is a free outdoor French film festival in New York City produced by Albertine Foundation, Villa Albertine, and the French Embassy.
Nathalie Charles Festival Manager nathalie.charles@villa-albertine.org