FOCUS ON FRENCH CINEMA announces
SELECTION OF FESTIVAL FILMS
For March 18 – 20
The FOCUS ON FRENCH CIMENA selection committee has announced the films to be included in this year’s French film festival, March 18 through 20 at the Performing Arts Center, SUNY Purchase.
Copacabana , a comedy starring Isabelle Huppert and her daughter Lolita Chammah directed by Marc Fitoussi, has been selected as the gala opening night film, March 18th. Happy-go-lucky Babou (Huppert) struggles to reinvent herself and to keep her frivolous ways at bay, in order to regain her daughter’s respect. Critics have praised Huppert’s performance: “Huppert….excels in comedy. Copacabana overwhelms us with joy.”
Internationally renowned playwright Yasmina Reza, brings her own particular style to FFC as both director and screenwriter with her movie Chicas. Billed as a “dramatic comedy” starring Emmanuelle Seigner, Carmen Maura, and Andre Dussollier, Chicas is an edgy family portrait, providing Emmanuelle Seigner in what is possibly one of her greatest roles.
Belgium offers us Illegal, a film that is both grave and delicate, and frighteningly timely. Written and directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse, and starring Anne Coesens, Esse Lawson, and Alexandre Golntcharov, Illegal is a shattering indictment of the detention of illegal immigrants. Illegal has won a number of prizes at international festivals and Anne Coesens has received the Best Actress award at the 25 th Namur Festival.
Un Homme Qui Crie , a poignant and tragic tale of impossible personal choices in today’s civil war-torn Africa, is another contribution from Belgium. Written and directed by Mahamat Saleh Haroun, Un Homme Qui Crie has been selected for competition of the Palme d’or at Cannes.
Imagine a personal visit from “cancer” and you have the pretext for Le Bruit des Glacons, an allegorical film by renowned director Bertrand Blier starring Jean Dujardin, Albert Dupontel and Anne Alvaro. This dark comedy, shouldered by strong performances is both fantastic and realistic, and filled will hope.
Filmmaker Marc Esposito will be on hand to speak about his latest film (included in this year’s FFC lineup) Mon Pote. Set in the demi-monde of prison, Mon Pote is a dramatic comedy that focuses on male comradery. It is a story of friendship held together by two extraordinary performances by Edouard Baer and Benoit Magimel.
Inspired by the life of the late film producer Humbert Balsan, Le Pere de Mes Enfants, by Mia Hansen-Love and starring Chiara Caselli, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, and Alice de Lencquesaing, tells the story of a charismatic and successful film producer and family man, whose life on the surface inspires, hiding the cracks that are fissuring its structure from all sides. Mia Hansen-Love handles this portrait with delicacy, tenderness and generosity. Mia Hansen-Love will be on hand at the festival to talk about the making of this poignant film.
FOCUS ON FRENCH CIMENA « green » favorite is Coline Serreau’s new documentary about environmental issues, Solution Locales pour un Desordre Global (Think Global , Act Rural)
Also included in this year’s festival are La Derniere Fugue, directed by Lea Pool; Hadewijch, directed by Bruno Dumont, and the family favorite, L’Illusionniste, by Sylvain Chomet, the director of the 2003 hit Les Triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville).
Last minute…
The Closing night movie , will be a delight! A small world, by Bruno Chiche a family thriller starring Gérard Depardieu (at his best), Niels Arestruk, Alexandra Maria Lara and Francoise Fabian, is a US premiere and has not yet been released in France:It received a Standing Ovation for its opening in Berlin!
For up-to-the-minute information and scheduling, or to purchase your tickets, please log on to www.focusonfrenchcinema.com.
Save the dates: March 18 th through 20 th and See you at the movies! |
