Zeitgeist Films in Association with Kino Lorber Acquires North American Rights to Judith Godrèche's 'A Girl's Story', Based on the Novel by Nobel Prize-Winner Annie Ernaux
“Remarkably successful in evoking the same liminal space between sensation and memory, between the acuteness of lived experience and the subsequent haze of reminiscence.”
– Isaac Feldberg, RogerEbert.com
“Succeeds not just as a haunting echo of Godrèche’s early years but as a moving, at times disturbing, meditation on the gender relations that normalize violence against women — specifically the kind of violence that’s hard to recognize until well after the damage is done.”
– Beatrice Loayza, Variety
“A bold and stirring coming-of-age drama that translates Ernaux’s words to screen and features an impressive performance by Tess Barthélemy… destined to be a film that facilitates important conversations and alters ignorant perspectives.”
– Anna Miller, Next Best Picture
Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to A Girl’s Story, written and directed by Judith Godrèche in an adaptation of Nobel Prize winning author Annie Ernaux’s acclaimed Memoire d’une Fille. The film made its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for Godrèche’s nuanced direction and Tess Barthélemy’s extraordinary lead performance. Zeitgeist Films will release the film theatrically at Film Forum in New York in Spring 2027 with a national rollout to follow.
While on book tour for her memoir in 2020, Annie Ernaux (Valerie Dreville) returns to her hometown of Rouen for a book signing. A sudden dizziness overcomes her when she arrives, plunging her thoughts back to the summer of 1958 when as a naïve young camp counselor, she first experienced the cruelty of other girls and the bitterness of sexual initiation. Journeying into a past she had once tried to forget, Annie reflects on the young girl she once was and the summer that changed her forever. Judith Godrèche, a major figure in the French Me Too Movement, directs her own daughter, Tess Barthélemy, in a heartbreaking, dazzling performance as young Annie.
The deal for A Girl’s Story was negotiated by Zeitgeist Films Co-Presidents Emily Russo and Nancy Gerstman and Jeanne Loriotti of Paradise City.
Russo and Gerstman said, “We were deeply moved and impressed with this gorgeous adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s powerful memoir by acclaimed actress and director Judith Godrèche. This is a story that will surely resonate with viewers everywhere, in no small part due to Tess Barthélemy’s amazing and heartfelt performance. We’re excited to bring this important film to North American audiences next year.”
"I am proud to partner with Zeitgeist, a women-led company, and Kino Lorber on the North American release of A Girl’s Story. This is not a French story; rather it is a universal story. I hope that my film, like Annie Ernaux’s book, will serve to demarginalize women’s experiences and our voices,” said Judith Godrèche.
"We are thrilled to have partnered with Kino Lorber and Zeitgeist Films, two distributors who understand the importance of championing ambitious, female-driven cinema. At a time when our industry needs films like this more than ever - films that challenge, provoke and make space for women’s voices - we could not be prouder to see A Girl’s Story find such a strong home in the U.S.,” said Jeanne Loriotti.
Written and directed by Judith Godrèche, A Girl’s Story is a Windy Production, Moana Films production in co-production with UMEDIA. The film is produced by Carole Lambert and Marc Missonnier and executive produced by Christine de Jekel.