Movies by Mélissa Drigeard

Mélissa Drigeard is a French filmmaker whose bold, unconventional style has made her a rising force in contemporary European cinema. Defying genre conventions, Drigeard's films explore themes of female empowerment, societal expectations, and the complexities of modern relationships with a keen eye for emotional nuance. Drigeard's 2014 debut, Never on the First Night, announced her as a distinctive new voice, blending quirky humor with a poignant examination of the pitfalls of casual dating. This was followed by the critically acclaimed Tout nous sourit in 2021, which solidified her reputation for crafting intimate, character-driven stories that subvert romantic comedy tropes. Her 2023 film Hawaii further showcased Drigeard's talent for infusing her narratives with a sense of visual flair, as she used the lush tropical setting to explore themes of self-discovery and the search for fulfillment. Most recently, Drigeard's 2025 release Unsubmissives has cemented her status as a bold, boundary-pushing filmmaker. Blending elements of social commentary and psychological thriller, the film follows a group of women who band together to challenge the patriarchal structures that seek to constrain them. With its sharply drawn characters and unflinching examination of power dynamics, Unsubmissives has been hailed as a bold and necessary addition to contemporary feminist cinema.