Writing Life – Annie Ernaux Through the Eyes of High School Students

Writing Life – Annie Ernaux Through the Eyes of High School Students (2026)



Écrire la vie - Annie Ernaux racontée par des lycéennes et des lycéens

10.0 2026 90 min France

Director: Claire Simon

Documentary
A towering presence in modern feminism and the first woman from France to claim the Nobel Prize in Literature, Annie Ernaux is widely regarded as a catalyst for both personal and societal liberation, weaving deeply private experiences into timeless truths. In a fresh and inventive documentary, director Claire Simon crafts a unique tribute to her, amplifying the voices of students and educators alike.

More About This Film

Writing Life – Annie Ernaux Through the Eyes of High School Students is a documentary portrait of how Annie Ernaux's writing is read and discussed by young people. Filmmaker Claire Simon enters classrooms in France and follows students and teachers as they engage with Ernaux's autobiographical work and connect literature with their own experiences.

The documentary is less a traditional author biography than an exploration of literary transmission. By giving classroom discussions room to unfold, it shows how Ernaux's intimate writing can provoke conversations about memory, identity, relationships, social mobility, and the everyday realities of adolescence.

  • Directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Claire Simon.
  • The documentary focuses on students and teachers rather than relying on a conventional interview-driven biography.
  • Annie Ernaux is the first French woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
  • The film has screened at international festivals including Göteborg and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
  • The French release took place in September 2026.

Where to Watch

Writing Life has followed a festival and theatrical path, so streaming availability remains dependent on territory and distributor. These services and discovery platforms are worth checking for later digital releases.