Ari

Ari, a 27-year-old student teacher, collapses in the middle of a school inspector’s visit. As he reaches out to friends in a quest for recovery, he discovers that other people aren’t doing as well as he imagined and that perhaps he has been sleepwalking through his own life.

Leonor Serraille’s gem on the search for meaning of Generation Z premiered in the Berlinale competition, where it moved to the core those among us who are wrestling with the question of what it means “to be happy”.

Serraille’s subtle character study raises a number of fundamental questions that resonate within us, loud and not so clear: what does hypersensitivity stem from? Is parenting at fault? Is it a superpower or a burden? If what Ari is going through is depression, can a way out of it involve reclaiming his vulnerability? Andranic Manet’s performance as Ari is remarkable and deeply touching.

This film is eligible for the Audentia Award.

This screening is supported by the French Embassy in Ireland.

Cork International Film Festival is delighted to return to its Principal Venue, The Arc Cinema on North Main St, Cork, for its 70th Festival edition, Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November 2025.

The Arc Cinema Cork is home to The GATE Screen — a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the beloved former Gate Cinema — and an ideal spot for meeting fellow festival goers in between screenings. The GATE Screen features luxurious double sofa seats and tables, creating an intimate and sophisticated viewing experience. It is dedicated to showcasing arthouse films, including independent and local productions, foreign and Irish language titles throughout the year.