Ciné Club Series: 'Les choses de la vie' by Claude Sautet

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 From 6:00 PM To 8:30 PM Add to Calendar 2025-10-14 18:00:00 2025-10-14 20:30:00 Ciné Club Series: 'Les choses de la vie' by Claude Sautet Claude Sautet’s unforgettable meditation on love, memory, and the delicate choices that shape our lives, reminding us of the fleeting nature of ‘the things of life.’ French Library, 53 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA, United States America/New_York

At French Library

Part of our new Page to Screen series, join us for the second Claude Sautet film of the year, the acclaimed masterpiece Les Choses de la vie.

A turning point in French cinema, The Things of Life (1970) marked the arrival of Sautet’s signature style, tender, bittersweet, and focused on human connection. The film follows Pierre (Michel Piccoli), a successful architect who, after a devastating car accident, relives fragments of his life, caught between his ex-wife Catherine (Léa Massari) and his luminous lover Hélène (Romy Schneider).

Adapted from Paul Guimard’s novel with a screenplay by Jean-Loup Dabadie, the film marked the beginning of Sautet’s legendary collaboration with Romy Schneider.

With its lyrical structure; balancing past and present through flashbacks, and Philippe Sarde’s haunting score, Les Choses de la vie quickly cemented its place as a masterpiece of French cinema.

Watch the trailer

The evening will include a reception where guests can connect and share their thoughts over a glass of wine.

Movie in French with English subtitles. The Q&A that will follow the screening will be in French and English.

Members

$14

Non-members

$18

About Claude Sautet

Claude Sautet (1924–2000) was a master of intimate, character-driven storytelling. Known for classics like The Things of Life, A Heart in Winter, and Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud, his work explored the complexities of relationships, friendship, and emotional solitude with quiet elegance. His signature style combined realism, melancholy, and psychological depth, earning him two César Awards and enduring critical acclaim.

About Barbara Bouquegneau

Barbara Bouquegneau is the President and Executive Director of the French Library. She holds a Master of Science in Film Production from Boston University and has curated the Library’s cinema program for many years, offering local audiences a rich selection of French films. Her passion for cinema and cultural dialogue continues to foster thoughtful conversations around both contemporary and classic works of French filmmaking.

Upcoming Events

See All Upcoming Events

Screening

Ciné Club Series: 'L'Événement' by Audrey Diwan

Presentation and discussion with Mariel Iezzoni

Thursday, November 13, 2025

From Annie Ernaux’s autobiographical novel, Happening traces a student’s fight for autonomy in 1960s France. In this award-winning adaptation, Audrey Diwan transforms a personal ordeal into a universal coming-of-age story.

Story Time

L'Heure du Conte

French story time!

Saturday, November 8, 2025

We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!

Member Event

Theater Club in November

In-person, Indoor Event in French

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Come join us for the new Theater Club at the French Library, a place to read, watch, discuss and recite contemporary and classic French plays with fellow enthusiasts.

See All