Maria Schneider Delphine Seyrig Tribute

This Maria Schneider Delphine Seyrig retrospective marks the opening of Forum des images’ new season. The institution honors two unruly figures of cinema with an unprecedented cycle. Sois belle et tais-toi ! (Be Pretty and Shut Up) runs seven weeks of screenings, encounters and debates. It takes place from September 15 to November 1, 2026, at Westfield Forum des Halles in Paris. In addition, Forum des images details the full program on its site.

Maria Schneider Delphine Seyrig: a title borrowed from a manifesto film

The cycle takes its title from the 1976 documentary directed by Delphine Seyrig with Carole Roussopoulos. Indeed, the film questions twenty-four French and North American actresses on their place as women in cinema. Maria Schneider is among them.

Elise Tessarech is the artistic director of Forum des images. She frames the link between the two artists. In her view, these cinema icons proved pioneering in their acting and directing choices. Visionary in their commitments, they were later made invisible for those same rebellions. As a result, she places this programming choice in the era of gaslighting, the female gaze and the post-#MeToo moment.

The program counts more than fifty screenings. Numerous guests take part, including Nouchka van Brakel, Geneviève Sellier, Iris Brey, Camille Nevers and Vanessa Schneider. Many other figures from cinema and feminist scholarship also join.

The opening night brings together Judith Godrèche, Tess Barthélemy and Annie Ernaux, unconfirmed. They accompany the preview of Mémoire de fille. Judith Godrèche adapts Annie Ernaux’s book of the same name. As a result, the film joins the Un Certain Regard selection, at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. In addition, it reaches French theaters in late September, a release that fits within our fall 2026 movie selection.

Maria Schneider, the rebel

The cycle opens with a week-long tribute to Maria Schneider (1952-2011), fifteen years after her death. The selection traces her work with Michelangelo Antonioni, Jacques Rivette and René Clément, through Profession: Reporter, Merry-Go-Round and La Dérobade.

Forum des images also programs rare titles. Its director, Nouchka van Brakel, presents Une femme comme Eva, never before released in French theaters. The late Mehdi Charef also made Au pays des Juliets. Actresses Claire Nebout and Laure Duthilleul attend the screening.

The tribute opens with La Baby-sitter, René Clément’s final film. A musical performance from writer and composer Alma Rechtman precedes the screening.

Justine Lévêque leads this tribute. In her view, honoring Maria Schneider means telling her story as she truly was. She also wants to collectively question a certain history of cinema. Forum des images makes a clear choice, too. The institution excludes Last Tango in Paris from the program. Maria Schneider herself had expressed her refusal to make that film again, in hindsight.

Three round tables and a cinema class

A cinema class traces a free portrait of the actress. Filmmaker and critic Camille Nevers leads it on Friday, September 18. Three round tables also accompany the tribute.

On September 17, a discussion covers so-called “damaged” films. Emmanuelle Dancourt, president of MeTooMedia, Geneviève Sellier, Vanessa Schneider and Sophie Mirouze take part. On September 19, a panel addresses the representation of sex workers in cinema. Sylvie Verheyde, Manon Clavel and Celio join that conversation. Finally, on September 20, Iris Brey leads a #MeToo round table. Marilou Aussiloux opens it with a reading from Vanessa Schneider’s book Maria.

Delphine Seyrig, modern icon, celebrated for six weeks

Starting September 24, the program widens around Delphine Seyrig, with about forty screenings. The actress, militant video artist and feminist pioneer, collaborated with many filmmakers. Among them are Alain Resnais, Marguerite Duras, François Truffaut, Chantal Akerman, Luis Buñuel, William Klein, Jacques Demy and Carole Roussopoulos.

Major classics return to the big screen. These include Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles and Muriel, or the Time of Return. Stolen Kisses, India Song, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and Golden Eighties complete the selection. Forum des images also presents rare works on the big screen. Two films by Ulrike Ottinger sit alongside Joseph Losey’s A Doll’s House.

The program also extends her legacy. It gathers contemporary filmmakers and heirs, such as Nelly Kaplan, Lizzie Borden, Bertrand Mandico and Amandine Gay.

Cinema classes, encounters and performances

Six cinema classes structure the program, each Friday at 6:30 pm, from September 25 through October 30. They cover her portrait and the post-1968 context. They also explore militant feminist video cinema and the queer dimensions of her legacy. Finally, they examine current uses of the gaze. On Saturday, October 3, an intersectional round table brings together militant actresses from A.D.A. This association represents feminist and anti-racist actors.

The Centre audiovisuel Simone de Beauvoir accompanies three screenings, on October 8 and 9. They focus on the video work of Delphine Seyrig and the Insoumuses, with Carole Roussopoulos. The program includes Maso et Miso vont en bateau and Y a qu’à pas baiser !

On Saturday, October 17, Barbara Carlotti and Clarika perform “Conseils de la fée des Lilas” live. The two writers and composers open the screening of Jacques Demy’s Peau d’âne. On Wednesday, October 7, an event centers on the graphic novel Beauvoir Made in America. Nathalie Masduraud, Valérie Urrea and Lisa Chetteau take part. Finally, on Wednesday, October 21, a video game session presents independent studios Les Topotes and Toe Bean Club.

Maria Schneider Delphine Seyrig: practical information

This Maria Schneider Delphine Seyrig retrospective, titled Sois belle et tais-toi !, runs from September 15 to November 1, 2026. It takes place at Westfield Forum des Halles, 2 rue du cinéma, 75001 Paris. In addition, screening dates are available on the Forum des images agenda. The Centre audiovisuel Simone de Beauvoir and MeTooMedia support the Delphine Seyrig strand. Meanwhile, Davines supports the Maria Schneider strand.

A schedule to follow the cycle

Nine screenings to cover both strands of the cycle, from September 16 to October 31.

Maria Schneider week

Delphine Seyrig weeks

Two possible adjustments. L’Année dernière à Marienbad screens again on Sunday, November 1 at 5 pm, for those who prefer that date. On Saturday, September 19, La Dérobade (5:30 pm) directly precedes Une femme comme Eva (8 pm), with a round table in between: enough to fill the whole afternoon on site.