How do you regain a positive body image if you never had one in the first place? Costume-designer-turned-debut-director Anne-Gaëlle Daval enlists renowned French stand-up comedienne Florence Foresti (Barbecue, AF FFF15) in a slightly more serious, yet bountifully life-affirming, turn as 40-year-old Luci; a cancer survivor looking to regain her footing in the world.

Breast cancer is well behind Luci, as confirmed by her doctor brother (Jonathan Cohen, Divorce French Style 2, 2016; Max & Leon, AF FFF17) but she cannot seem to move forward. Then she enters a wig shop and meets Dalila (Nicole Garcia, Divorce French Style 2, 2016, director of Mal de Pierres, 2016), who believes performing a public striptease will make Luci feel better about her body. The dashing but dreadfully arrogant Clovis (Mathieu Kassovitz, Amélie, 2000; The Bureau, AF FFF16) starts to show interest in Luci, although she cannot fathom why.

With lashings of girl-power and self-deprecation, Ladies is the perfect prescription for treating a largely unexplored topic in cinema with the respect it deserves. Filmmaker Daval conquers this topic in a wonderfully assured manner that will have you leaving the cinema with a smile on your face.

Enjoy a special menu inspired by the film at Bellbird. Click here to book

English title: Ladies
Director: Anne-Gaëlle Daval
Language: French
Country: France
Cast: Florence Foresti, Mathieu Kassovitz, Nicole Garcia, Jonathan Cohen