The legendary chanteuse known only as Barbara, gifted with a tremulously expressive voice and striking stage presence, is an enduring icon of French culture. In this tantalizing tribute from actor-director Mathieu Amalric, a transfixing, chameleon-like Jeanne Balibar stars as Brigitte, a film actress cast in a biopic about the singer. This conceit yields, à la Cassavetes’ Opening Night, a mesmerizing meta-cinematic high-wire act about the slippery nature of performance and identity as Balibar’s Barbara merges with footage of the real-life diva until the two become virtually indistinguishable. The result is both a captivating experiment and a love letter to a singular artist. Nominated for nine César Awards, including Best Film, Director, Actress, Cinematography, and Original Screenplay. U.S. Premiere
