Katell Quillévéré, France, Belgium 2023

ALONG CAME LOVE delicately unveils a tale of guilt, repressed desires, and a family secret that was inspired by Quillévéré’s own grandparents. Madeleine (Anaïs Demoustier), a young mother, and François (Vincent Lacoste), a wealthy student, first meet in post-war Normandy, each with their own secrets and pasts. Their relationship evolves amongst societal norms, namely sexuality and race, leading them to reinvent themselves in a jazz club catering to American GIs. Quillévéré’s sensitive direction masterfully spans three time periods and even features archival footage, which starkly displays the public humiliation of French women deemed Nazi collaborators after alleged affairs with Nazi soldiers. (EH)