Film Screening: Amélie & la métaphysique des tubes (Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Calling all Amélie Nothomb fans!

Join us for a screening of Malïys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han’s animated film 2025 Amélie et la métaphysique des tubes (Little Amélie or the Character of Rain), an adaptation of Belgian author Amélie Nothomb’s 2000 novel La métaphysique des tubes as part of Festival de la Francophonie 2026.

This program is presented in partnership with Asian Pop Up Cinema (APUC) as part of their 20th annual film festival, with the support of the Honorary Consulate General of Belgium in Chicago and the Wallonia Investment & Trade Agency.

Guests will enjoy a pre-reception featuring fresh Belgian gaufres(waffles), Belgian beer, and sparkling apple juice. Local independent book store The Book Stall will be on site selling copies of Nothomb’s novel, as well as the English translation (The Character of Rain), and kids activities facilitated by the Alliance’s Youth Programs instructors will be available throughout the event.

Doors at 1:00 p.m. for a pre-reception featuring complimentary refreshments. Screening at 1:30. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Non-alcoholic options and children’s available.

About the Film

About the Directors

Maïlys Vallade
Passionate about cinema and special effects since childhood, Maïlys Valladewas introduced to the manufacture of automatons (or animatronics) and volume sets by her dad. She studied Graphic Arts at EPSAA Superior School of Paris, then in animated film conception and direction at Gobelins in Paris.

Maïlys started working on animated independent feature film productions in 2010. Amélie & la métaphysique des tubes is her first feature film as director and screenwriter.

Maïlys works within an artists collective in Brittany, France.

Liane-Cho
Liane-Cho is a director, story artist, and animation supervisor. A 2007 graduate of Gobelins in Paris, he has worked as a key animator and story artist on feature films, as well as animation director on various commercials. Amélie & la métaphysique des tubes is his first feature film as both director and screenwriter.

About Asian Pop Up Cinema

Founded by Sophia Wong Boccio, Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s (APUC) is Chicago’s only Pan-Asian film festival. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to introduce and celebrate diverse Asian cultures through film while highlighting the community’s common humanity. They also aim to promote Chicago as a destination for international visitors, and connect the Asian film industry with local students, educators, and film professionals. Since 2015, APUC has presented more than 300 films from across Asia.

Through the festival, I want to invite Asian filmmakers here to see our beautiful city, connect with our industry people who share their passion for filmmaking, and for the public to enjoy a diverse and educational spectrum of Asian films. – Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder