Swedish filmmaker Angelica Ruffier is set to debut with her first feature-length documentary, La belle année [+lee también:
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Described as Ruffier’s autobiographical odyssey through the year following her father’s death, the film weaves together decisive documentary moments with cinematically staged dreams, raising questions about what shapes our character and our lives.

After their estranged father dies, Angelica and her brother are forced to return to their childhood home – a big house in the French countryside overflowing with unspeakable clutter and the lingering presence of their despotic parent. As Angelica begins the overwhelming task of clearing it out, she comes across her teenage diaries, resurrecting a secret and fierce love she once harboured for her history teacher, Mademoiselle B. Through the words of the diaries, Angelica’s adolescent infatuation unfolds in the present, and an intense longing grows within her: to meet Mademoiselle B again.

“I often describe La belle année as autofiction,” says the director. “I believe you can go further and say more – more honestly, more precisely, more directly – when using yourself. My goal is also to reach the universal in my specific experience. In this process, I serve as both director and protagonist. The film follows me through intense moments in my life, both painful and joyous.”

La belle année was lensed by Simon Averin Markström and edited by Anna Eborn, while Leo Svensson Sander composed the score. It was produced by Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir and Marta Dauliūtė for MDEMC (Sweden), and co-produced by Turid Rogne and Elisabeth Kleppe for Aldeles AS (Norway), Rafael Franco for Film Stockholm (Sweden) and Katja Härkönen for Filmpool Nord (Sweden). The international sales are handled by Martina Droandi, of Vienna-based Odd Slice Films.

Check out our exclusive trailer below: