C&G Presents: Highlights of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
Bonjour! The 27th annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is coming to Melbourne on March 2, and runs until March 24 at Palace and Kino cinemas across the city, including the Palace Brighton Bay, The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como and more. Cinéphiles will love the diverse range of French films on offer, from comedy and drama to animated adventures – all with the quirky farce and humanist flavour that makes French cinema so unique. C&G brings you the festival highlights.
April and the Extraordinary World
Avril et le Monde Truqué
105 minutes, 2015 [PG]
This animated delight depicts a Paris similar to that of 1941, built on coal and steam, where technology has come to a halt. Traditional line drawings reminiscent of early comic books, along with the voice of Marion Cotillard, breathe life into this award-winning film for children and adults alike, about the importance of science in today’s world.
91 minutes, 2015 [M]
A distanced couple reconnect in Death Valley (Nevada), following an eerie calling from their deceased son. The characters are played by legendary French stars Isabelle Huppert and Gerard Depardieu, and the film received its world premiere at Cannes International Film Festival last year. Don’t miss a special Q&A session following a screening, with Dr. Bertrand Bourgeois on the topic of ‘Love, life, loss: Valley of Love or Valley of Death?’ at Palace Brighton Bay on March 21. Buy tickets here.
Le Mépris
105 minutes, 1963 [PG]
Contempt is a well-known classic – an iconic story about a screenwriter who is working on a script of The Odyssey, and the dramas that surround the production as the creative characters fight the ‘corroding effect of the film business.’ Also starring Brigitte Bardot and Fritz Lang (as himself), Contempt is directed by Jean-Luc Goddard, it’s a star-studded classic. It’s also a mandatory introduction to those yet to be exposed to the wonderful art of French cinema. Check out the Astor Theatre’s screening for the festival closing party on March 24. Tickets available here.
Other highlights include screenings of Mon Roi (winner – Best Actress, Cannes International Film Festival 2015), a Q&A session following a screening of Maguerite exploring the narrow passage between comedy and tragedy, and an International Women’s Day celebration for La Belle Saison on Tuesday March 8.