European Cinema Shines in July Releases

As the summer season reaches its peak, this week’s cinematic offerings highlight the richness of European cinema. Moviegoers can embark on a virtual journey across the continent, from Finland to Greece, with notable stops in Germany, Belgium, and France. This week also features a commendable British film, ensuring that the vitality of the cinematic arts is alive both locally and among our European neighbors. Additionally, the lineup for the last full week of July 2026 includes two Japanese films and a gem from American independent cinema.

Among the films making a mark this week, two stand out in our Top 3 selections. The family odyssey Sur la route d’Omaha, directed by Cole Webley and recognized at the recent Deauville Festival, captures the essence of familial bonds. In contrast, the whimsical romantic tale Sous le ciel de Kyoto from Japanese filmmaker Akiko Oku brings a unique cultural perspective. Our featured film, albeit with a slight reservation, is the comedic advertisement De la Comédie-Française by Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat, which offers a light-hearted critique of one of France's enduring cultural institutions. With a brief runtime, it presents a low-risk viewing option while showcasing the elite of French dramatic arts poking fun at their own prestige.

In addition to these highlights, several other noteworthy films are hitting theaters today. European contributions include Gavagai et autres malentendus by Ulrich Köhler, a film that embodies the blending of cultures and languages despite its German roots. Nightborn, directed by Hanna Bergholm, delves into the unsettling aspects of motherhood through a horror lens in Finland. The increasingly candid French documentary Les Madeleines by Arthur Dreyfus also deserves attention, alongside the Greek dystopian narrative Gorgona by Evi Kalogiropoulou, which explores a future where oil has become a scarce resource.

Here’s a closer look at some of the films now available:

• Cap Farewell by Vanja d’Alcantara (Belgium, Drama, 1h49) featuring Noée Abita, Matteo Simoni, and Pascale Bussières.
• Charlie et les kangourous by Kate Woods (Australia, Adventure, 1h47) starring Lily Whiteley, Ryan Corr, and Deborah Mailman.
• De la Comédie-Française by Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat (France, Comedy, 1h15) with performances from Pauline Clément, Laurent Stocker, and Julien Frison.
• La Fille dans les nuages by Philippe Riche (France, Animation, 1h28).
• Gavagai et autres malentendus by Ulrich Köhler (Germany, Drama, 1h31) featuring Jean-Christophe Folly, Maren Eggert, and Nathalie Richard.
• Gorgona by Evi Kalogiropoulou (Greece, Anticipation, 1h36) starring Melissanthi Mahut, Aurora Marion, and Christos Loulis.
• Les Madeleines by Arthur Dreyfus (France, Documentary, 1h23).
• Nightborn by Hanna Bergholm (Finland, Horror, 1h32, distributed on 95 copies) featuring Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, and Pamela Tola.
• Sous le ciel de Kyoto by Akiko Oku (Japan, Drama, 2h08) starring Riku Hagiwara, Yuumi Kawai, and Aoi Ito.
• Sur la route d’Omaha by Cole Webley (USA, Family Drama, 1h23, distributed on 120 copies) featuring John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, and Wyatt Solis.
• Les Vacances de Golo et Ritchie by Ahmed Hamidi and Martin Fougerol (France, Adventure, 1h20) starring Golo, Ritchie, and John Café.

For those interested in classic cinema, several re-releases are also available:

• L’Assassin s’était trompé (1955) by Lewis Gilbert (UK, Thriller, 1h22) featuring Dirk Bogarde, Margaret Lockwood, and Kay Walsh.
• Cowboy Bebop Le film (2001) by Shin’ichiro Watanabe (Japan, Animation, 1h55).