L'Auberge Espagnole (The Spanish Apartment) (2002) is a delightful French-Spanish comedy-drama that delves into the vibrant world of Xavier (Romain Duris), a young Frenchman on a student exchange program in Barcelona, Spain. A 24-year-old economics graduate student from Paris, Xavier pursues transnational learning through the Erasmus Programme to further his career.
Arriving in Spain, Xavier initially stays with a married couple from France before locating a flatshare with fellow students from throughout Europe—despite the misgivings of his girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou) back home. The storyline weaves a heartwarming tale of friendship, cultural immersion and personal growth, as Xavier embraces the challenges and joys of shared apartment life with fellow international students.
Written and directed by French filmmaker Cédric Klapisch (Russian Dolls, Chinese Puzzle) L'Auberge Espagnole humorously navigates the nuances of cultural differences and the transformative power of diverse friendship. It's a joyful celebration of youth, wanderlust and the spirit of camaraderie that emerges when individuals from diverse backgrounds come together—delivering an evocative portrayal of personal discovery.
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