Ciné-Club de l'Alliance: L'enlèvement de Michel Houellebecq

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93 minutes | French with English subtitles | Comedy

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Free

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About the Film

Director: Guillaume Nicloux
Actors: Michel Houellebecq, Mathieu Nicourt, Maxime Lefrançois and Luc Schwarz

L'enlèvement de Michel Houellebecq is a 2014 French comedy-drama film directed by Guillaume Nicloux. It tells the story of how the famous author Michel Houellebecq is kidnapped and held for ransom by three men during a promotional tour in 2011.

The film will be followed by an informal reception and an open discussion.

Praise

This comedic interpretation of a rumoured abduction of the writer Michel Houellebecq, starring Houellebecq as himself, won Best Screenplay Award at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival

The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq Blurs Fiction and Reality

– Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Houellebecq gleefully spoofs and confirms his public persona as a reclusive misanthrope...

– Oleg Ivanov, Slant

About the Director

Guillaume Nicloux was born 3 August 1966. He is a French novelist, director and actor. He is the founder of the theatre company La Troupe. He has written crime fiction and directed films for cinema and French television.

Above: ©ADCB Films

Watch the trailer

New Cinema Programming

Starting this Spring, cinema is taking the leap at the French Library. We have revisited and expanded our programming to offer you new ways to experience the best of French and Francophone cinema. While continuing the monthly Ciné-Clubs to catch up on recent films from the Francophone world, we are launching Ciné-Rétro, a two-evening marathon to discover or re-discover some 1940s to 1970s French classics and Ciné-Loulous, where children and their families can enjoy French animated gems followed by arts and crafts activities inspired by the film. As always, you will be able to mingle and discuss the films with our in-house film expert, fellow cinéphiles and francophiles.

Press Inquiries

If you are interested in covering the event, please send all inquiries to press@frenchlibrary.org.

Upcoming Events

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Screening

Ciné Club Series: 'Les plages d'Agnès' by Agnès Varda

Presentation and discussion with Mariel Iezzoni

Friday, April 11, 2025

Join us at for a special Ciné Club screening of The Beaches of Agnès, a deeply personal documentary by Agnès Varda. Explore Varda’s life, artistry, and legacy through film, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Mariel Iezzoni and a wine reception.