A New Olivier Assayas film is always cause for excitement, but “Suspended Time” feels extra special. For one, the new trailer for it looks like it’s Assayas working in a naturalistic register similar to “Clouds Of Sils Maria” and “Summer Hours.” But it’s also the French director’s first feature film in five years, and sets up hype for his buzzy upcoming project, “The Wizard Of The Kremlin“ (which features Jude Law as Vladimir Putin!).
READ MORE: 2025 Summer Movie Preview: 50 Films To Watch
But “Suspended Time” comes first, a sharp COVID-19 comedy about a film director’s trip to quarantine in his hometown that proves to be anything but relaxing.
Here’s an official synopsis courtesy of Music Box Films:
As society recedes in the spring of 2020, film director Paul Berger (Vincent Macaigne) returns to his childhood home in the provincial Chevreuse Valley. Still processing the legacy of his parents and feeling out the uncertain shape of the world to come, Paul hunkers down with his documentary filmmaker girlfriend Carole (Nora Hamzawi), his music journalist brother Etienne (Micha Lescot), and Etienne’s new girlfriend Morgan (Nine d’Urso). Squabbling over the minutiae of health protocols and the morality of a hermetic lifestyle mediated by ubiquitous online shopping, the makeshift household finds new ways to lacerate familiar wounds. Yet Paul also finds a surprising refuge in the compulsory quietude of pandemic life, an opportunity to reconnect with the books and art and enchanted forests of his youth.
“Suspended Time” stars Vincent Macaigne, Micha Lescot, Nine d’Urso, Nora Hamzawi, and Maud Wyler.
Assayas writes “Suspended Time” along with directing. He also produces the film with Olivier Delbosc. “Suspended Time” had its world premiere in competition at the 2025 Berlinale earlier this year.
“Suspended Time” hits theaters on August 15. Watch a trailer for Assayas’ latest below.
