My Donkey, My Lover & I

As we head into autumn, it’s time for a French romcom that is being called a “breezily enjoyable journey of self-discovery.” Join us on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 10 a.m. to watch My Donkey, My Lover & I as Cinema Art Bethesda continues IN-PERSON screenings at the Landmark Bethesda Theater.

My Donkey, My Lover & I (Antoinette dans les Cévennes) stars Laure Calamy as school teacher Antoinette Lapouge, who is looking forward to a long-planned summer holiday with her secret lover Vladimir, the father of one of her pupils. When she learns that Vladimir (played by Benjamin Lavernhe cannot come because his wife has arranged a surprise trekking holiday in the Cévennes National Park with their daughter and a donkey to carry their load, Antoinette decides to follow their track, by herself, with Patrick, a protective donkey.

Caroline Vignal, a dynamic producer/screenwriter, directed My Donkey, My Lover & I, which is being characterized as a rare combination of “whimsical and soulful.” Calamy is a César Award-winning film, TV and theatre actress; she has said she and Patrick the donkey bonded during filming in the forest and she fell in love with him.

The film was an Official Selection at the 2020 Cannes Festival. Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 89% “Fresh” rating and summarizes the critics’ consensus: ”Charming performances from Laure Calamy and her four-legged co-star help make My Donkey, My Lover & I a familiar yet breezily enjoyable journey of self-discovery.” Other reviews single out the film’s beautiful mountain scenery, great original music and Intelligent insights, along with the appealing performances by Calamy, the donkey and the cast.

The film runs for 97 minutes; dialog in French with English subtitles.