What language is it in, and are there subtitles?

French, with English subtitles.

Is this a regular cinema release?

No — it’s a single festival screening as part of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival 2026.

Lucky Star (HKJFF 2026)

Name: Lucky Star (HKJFF 2026)
Released: 2026-11-07
Duration: 104 min
Cast: Benoît Poelvoorde, Audrey Lamy, Hugo Becker, Pascal Elbé, Zabou Breitman

Running from the Nazis? There’s only one thing more important than a good plan: A lucky star...

5.5/10 Mixed 48 votes

Released: 07 Nov 2026
Runtime: 104 min
Original title: La bonne étoile
Language: fr

The verdict

Audiences rate it 5.5 out of 10 on TMDB across 48 votes — a mixed reception. It is not currently playing in Hong Kong cinemas. 104 minutes.

What it is about

In 1940, in France, Jean Chevalin lives with his family in great poverty after deserting the army. Convinced that some people manage better than others, he decides to pretend to be Jewish in order to receive help from smugglers and reach the free zone. This ruse will lead his family on a journey that will gradually dismantle his prejudices.

What to expect

Pascal Elbé directs and co-stars in this French-language festival entry, playing a single screening as part of HKJFF 2026. Benoît Poelvoorde and Audrey Lamy lead a cast that works a premise of deliberate mistaken identity: a Gentile deserter in 1940 France poses as Jewish to access a smuggling route, only to find the ruse wearing away his own assumptions. The 104-minute runtime keeps the tone closer to wry than farcical, though the 5.5 audience score from 48 votes hints the balance doesn’t land for everyone. French dialogue with English subtitles.

Cast

Benoît Poelvoorde Jean Chevalin /Jacob
Audrey Lamy Paulette Chevalin /Sarah
Hugo Becker L'anguille
Pascal Elbé Sam Goldstein
Zabou Breitman Madeleine
Louis Lagorce Douce-Doussière Marcel Chevalin/Joseph
David Talbot Faurillon
Patrick Mille
Emmanuelle Schaaff Francette
Léa Alborghetti Fleur
Jeanne Rosa Rivka
Émilie Gavois-Kahn Jeanne
Emmanuelle Lepoutre Hannah
Philippe Uchan Bouvier
Patrick Ligardes Boisvert

Crew

Director Pascal Elbé
Screenplay Pascal Elbé
Director of Photography Gilles Henry
Producer Pascal Elbé
Producer Yann Zenou

Common questions

How long is the movie?: 104 minutes.
What language is it in, and are there subtitles?: French, with English subtitles.
Is this a regular cinema release?: No — it’s a single festival screening as part of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival 2026.