The French comedy-drama “Her Song,” executive produced by Oscar winner James Ivory, will make its world premiere on March 10 in San Jose, Calif., as part of Cinequest’s Opening Night Selection.
The film, directed by John M. Keller, marks the first role for Indian film star Kalki Koechlin, who leads an international ensemble opposite French actor Elea Claire. The cast also includes Zach Grenier, Thais Sobreira, Marie-Christine Adam, and Christoph Grundmann, who will be joining the cast following his role in the 2026 Academy Award-nominated short film “Saliva.”
Set in a remote village in the French Pyrenees, the drama tells the story of American writer Olivia, who returns to her family’s ancestral home (where her grandmother fled Paris during the Nazi invasion of World War II) in search of material for a long-stalled novel. There she meets Madeline, a talented local woman. Her ingenuity and spirit reflect memories of her grandmother. As Olivia incorporates details of Madeline’s life into her fictional story, three storylines intersect: her grandmother’s past, her novel, and Olivia’s current experiences.
Through her bond with Madeline, Olivia discovers that each person has their own inner song, inspired by fabricated stories about Namibian tribal traditions.
Koechlin won the Indian National Film Award for Margarita with a Straw, as well as Best Actress at the Indian Screen Awards and the Times of India Film Awards. Her credits include the Berlinale selection “Gully Boy,” the Netflix series “Sacred Games,” and Prime Video’s “Made in Heaven.”
Ivory, whose credits include Call Me by Your Name, Howards End and A Room with a View, is an executive producer alongside Eric Gruendemann. Produced by Marine Asiante, Claire and John M. Keller. Wilhelm Kuhn and Thomas Walser are the cinematographers, with music by Dhruv Goel and editing by Maud Babinot.
“Cinequest’s opening night is more than just the launch of a festival; it’s an invitation,” said Michael Lovell, Cinequest’s programming director and associate director. “Her Song immediately captivated us because it feels like the quiet magic of curiosity, memory, and relationships is alive and well. It’s a film that listens as much as it talks, weaving past and present into something playful, intimate, and unexpectedly deep.”
