In 1936, Jean Zay, a deputy from Orléans, became the youngest Minister of National Education and Fine Arts that the country had known. The Récidive festival could not miss out on this year of cinema, 90 years later. From March 23 to 29, the halls of Carmes will resonate with the Popular Front, the Spanish Civil War, but also the imagined romances around the world.
Bernard Cassat writes that the festival’s motto is “A year of cinema in History”. All films are placed in their context through presentations by historians or cinema people. In this 2026 edition, the year 1936 will be the historical theme.
Apart from the political news, 1936 saw the release of great films by renowned filmmakers. In France, Jean Renoir’s “Le Crime de Monsieur Lange” will open the festival. He will also feature in “Les Bas-fonds” and “La Marseillaise.” Other notable directors like Maurice Tourneur, Julien Duvivier, Marcel Pagnol, Sacha Guitry, Marcel Carné, and Christian-Jaque released significant films during this period.
Internationally, various masterpieces like “Modern Times” by Chaplin and works by Michael Curtiz, Frank Capra, John Ford, and others will be highlighted. The festival will showcase the Olympic Games organized by Hitler and feature a presentation on Leni Riefenstahl, a Nazi filmmaker.
Moreover, the festival will honor Dominique Cabrera by showcasing some of her films and awarding her the Grand Prix Jean Zay for her film “Grandir.” Throughout the festival week, there will be conferences and meetings held at the Canopé workshop.
After studying at IDHEC (now Fémis), Dominique Cabrera embarked on a career in filmmaking. Her works reflect social issues and personal inspirations, notably focusing on Algeria. She is known for her engagement in both cinema and television, maintaining a humanistic perspective with a touch of poesy.
For more information, visit the official website of Récidive.
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