Directed by Wilfried Méance, L’Arnaqueuse is a French comedy starring Fadily Camara, Josiane Balasko, and Jean-Pascal Zadi. Written by Jean-Pascal Zadi, Stéphane Landowski, and Michaël Souhaité, the film centers around an unexpected confrontation over a coveted Parisian life annuity. Produced by Full Dawa Films and Douze Doigts Productions, and distributed by Wild Bunch, it is set to hit French theaters on April 22, 2026.
Fanny, 30 years old and pregnant, feels suffocated in a situation that's become unbearable. She still lives at her father’s place with Virgil, her partner, whose chronic procrastination prevents any real future plans. When she stumbles upon an unexpected real estate listing — an old-fashioned Parisian apartment being sold via life annuity — she sees a newfound opportunity to take back control of her life.
But it doesn't take long before reality sharply upends the dream. Masséna, the seller of the property, is far from the fragile, dying woman Fanny had envisioned. Driven by an unshakeable desire to fulfill her promise of emancipation, the young woman dives into a fierce showdown with what she now sees as a seasoned scammer, turning the life estate into a battleground of domestic warfare.
The official trailer will be released as soon as it's made available by the distributor.
With this film, Wilfried Méance continues the French social comedy tradition, employing a straightforward setup—a dispute over housing—to highlight current social issues. The storyline utilizes the concept of purchasing on a life annuity as both a narrative device and a source of humor, a rarely explored theme in cinema, here cleverly used to delve into themes of economic insecurity, attitudes toward money, and the illusions of social mobility.
The tone is built around a clash between contrasting characters, driven by Fadily Camara’s vibrant energy and Josiane Balasko’s seasoned expertise. The film’s universe appeals to viewers who enjoy comedies grounded in real life, where absurd situations stem from very tangible issues. The Swindler can thus be likened to recent French comedies that blend social satire with strong, determined female characters.
The Hustler
Film | 2026
In theaters from April 22, 2026
Comedy
Directed by Wilfried Méance | Starring Fadily Camara, Josiane Balasko, Jean-Pascal Zadi, Tiphaine Daviot
Country: France
In competition at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival 2026, L’Arnaqueuse utilizes a confrontational approach to paint a picture of a generation striving for stability. The film blends humor with social commentary, following a protagonist willing to go to extraordinary lengths to claim a place that continues to elude her.
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