Love at First Fight (Les Combattants)

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Intro by director Thomas Cailley & composers Hit and Run!

“Bold, sweet, punch-drunk… Cailley makes the most of these two wonderful young actors’ faces: Together, they capture the head-rush of young love in all its prickly, misguided glory.” – Stephanie Zacharek, Village Voice

Invigorates one of the most shopworn genres, the romantic comedy, largely through its unusual premise and its enormously appealing leads.” – Melissa Anderson, Artforum

One of the big winners at this year’s César Awards—taking Best Actress, Best New Actor and Best First Feature—and a triple prizewinner at Cannes, where it played in the Directors’ Fortnight, LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT offers a warm and refreshing coming-of-age story. Easygoing and naïve Arnaud (Kévin Azaïs) plans to spend the summer helping his brother in the family carpentry business. But when he meets Madeleine (Adèle Haenel), a steely young woman determined on the harshest military service and preoccupied with visions of the apocalypse, he adoringly follows her to boot camp. Thomas Cailley’s first feature is a unique take on young romance, with alluring and empathetic protagonists (portrayed by equally likable actors), well-wrought humor, and gorgeous cinematography by David Cailley (the director’s brother). A Strand Releasing release.

Part of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2015

  • Country France
  • Language In French with English subtitles
  • Rating NR
  • Running Time 98 minutes
  • Director Thomas Cailley

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.