Film Screening: February Fantastique—Le Fantôme de la Liberté (The Phantom of Liberty)

Our February Fantastique Film Festival continues with Luis Buñuel’s surrealist satirical black-comedy* Le Fantôme de la Liberté (The Phantom of Liberty).*

“Long live chains! Down with liberty!” shout a group of Spanish prisoners facing a French firing squad during Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808. With a nonlinear plot structure connected by certain characters, Le Fantôme de la Liberté follows multiple stories, from a father who experiences a series of strange nocturnal visitations to a professor who gives a lecture to unruly police officers. One of Buñuel’s most acclaimed works and his penultimate one, Le Fantôme de la Liberté is a reflection of his personal life, infused with his avant-garde surrealism. 

Doors at 6:00 PM. Program at 6:30 p.m. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave.

About the Festival Curator

Stephanie Sack

Stephanie “La Gialloholique” Sack is a longtime Francophile and devoted enthusiast of European cinema, with a special passion for films from the 1960–1980 period. Her love of cinema centers on exploring the artistry, context, and emotion behind works that have often been overlooked or misunderstood. Known for her thoughtful curation and infectious enthusiasm, Stephanie brings fresh perspectives to audiences eager to rediscover hidden gems of film history. She celebrates the cultural richness and visual daring of mid-century European filmmaking, particularly the stylish intensity of Italian Giallo, French Fantastique, and Soviet Sci-Fi. Through her ongoing programming and producing, Stephanie continues to champion films that challenge convention and deserve a second look.

Getting Here

The Alliance Française de Chicago is one block from the CTA Red line stop at Chicago Ave. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark and the 66 on Chicago Ave. A Divvy station is located in front of the 54 W Chicago Ave entrance.

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