Colours of Time (15)

(Subtitled)

A light-footed, time-spanning drama that explores how the past quietly shapes the present.

When a large extended family in Normandy are asked to clear out their long-abandoned ancestral home ahead of a redevelopment, four distant relatives take on the task. As they sift through letters, photographs and paintings, one of them, Seb, begins to imagine the life of a young woman from the 19th century, Adele, whose journey to Paris opens up a parallel story that gradually intertwines with the present.

Director Cédric Klapisch moves fluidly between timelines, drawing connections across generations with a playful, inventive touch. The film finds its rhythm in small discoveries and shifting perspectives, using visual echoes and gentle humour to link past and present without ever feeling heavy. Moments of curiosity, coincidence and imagination keep the narrative buoyant, even as deeper themes about identity and belonging come into focus.

A strong ensemble brings warmth and personality to a wide range of characters, grounding the story in recognisable emotions as new relationships form and old ones are reconsidered.

Easygoing yet thoughtful, it’s a quietly uplifting reflection on connection, memory and the traces people leave behind.