Tasting & Film Screening: Champagne, Chocolat & Chabrol

Join us for a sparkling cinema soirée featuring two films by French director Claude Chabrol: 1967 crime thriller** Le scandale (The Champagne Murders)** and 2000 psychological thriller Merci pour le chocolat (Nightcap).

Between screenings, guests will enjoy a Champagne reception and Swiss chocolate tasting!

Curated by Stephanie “La Gialloholique” Sack, this double feature offers a perfect pairing for a festive French evening of bubbly, tastings, and conversation.

*Doors at 5:30 pm. First screening at 6:00. Non-alcoholic options will be available. Tickets are non-refundable after Thursday, December 3—*merci pour votre compréhension.

About the Films

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php

The Champagne Murders is a special title: sophisticated, unusual, and overdue for rediscovery. Starring Anthony Perkins, Maurice Ronet, Yvonne Furneaux, and Stéphane Audran, the film brings together French New Wave lineage, late-1960s European style, and the polished tension of Chabrol’s cinema–all served in a Champagne glass!

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34904739

About the Director

By Fabiàn Cevallos - gettyimages.fr, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131341080

Claude Chabrol was one of the original French New Wave directors, and his reputation has only deepened over time. Known as the movement’s elegant genre craftsman, over the last few decades he has been widely reappraised as one of cinema’s great observers of class, taste, appetite, manners, and the rituals of respectability, all filmed with a French wink.

That makes The Champagne Murders a perfect discovery title for a culturally curious audience: recognizable enough to feel accessible, rare enough to feel special, and stylish enough to support a festive Champagne-focused evening.

About the Curator

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 Avenue. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark and the 66 on Chicago Avenue. A Divvy station is located in front of the 54 W Chicago Ave entrance.

Parking Information

$10 for 12 hours at 100 W Chestnut St. Validation is available at reception.

Photography Notice

Please be advised that students, members, and attendees at cultural events or programs may be photographed, and these images may be used for marketing purposes.