Vive la French Film Festival
As the city prepares for next month’s arrival of the annual celebration of French cinema, James Croot previews a selection of this year’s programme.
‘One language, a world of emotions’’ – is the tagline for this year’s Alliance Francaise French Film Festival.
Now in its 11th year, the festival will bring a selection of the best recent releases from France and Francophone countries, as well as a couple of cinematic classics, to 12 New Zealand cities and 13 cinemas over the next month-and-a-half.
Organisers promise a ‘‘kaleidoscope of emotions, captivating stories and outstanding performances’’ among the total of 36 programmed films, which include Jacques Cousteau biopic The Odyssey and documentary A Journey Through French Cinema. We had the opportunity to preview a crosssection of 10 of the titles:
Baden Baden (M)
Young French writer-director Rachel Lang’s debut is a quirky and heart-warming tale about one hopeless millennial’s attempt to do something that matters. After failing to impress as a runner on a Belgian film shoot, 26-year old Ana (Salome Richard) impulsively decides to hang onto the production’s rental car and head to her hometown of Strasbourg. Once there, she decides to make it her mission, lack of DIY-skills notwithstanding, to makeover her grandmother’s bathroom.
Mercenary (R16)
France’s domination of the rugby drama genre continues with this fascinating, if flawed, story of New Caledonian prop Soane whose dreams of fame and fortune quickly turn into a nightmare. Although somewhat episodic and melodramatic, the trials and tribulations involving Soane’s teammates, steroids and financial strife will prove intriguing and thought-provoking to those who believe our own emigrating rugby stars all live lives of luxury in Europe.
Moka (M)
Set around Lake Geneva, Swiss director Federic Mermoud’s drama follows Diane Kramer’s (Emmanuelle Devos) obsessive and desperate search for the driver of a mocha-coloured Mercedes who ran over her son and sent her life spinning out of control. Evoking memories of films like The Crossing Guard, In the Bedroom and Child’s Pose, the film is anchored by Devos’ superb performance as an increasingly fraught mother who is determined to get justice for her family.
150 Milligrams (TBC)
Based on fact medical drama about a Brest hospital lung specialist (Inferno’s Danish star Sidse Babett Knudsen) who discovers a link between a long-prescribed medicine and the suspicious deaths of some of her patients. Fans of stories like Erin Brockovich, The Insider and The Constant Gardener will lap up this underdog tale as our heroine battles bureaucracy, bias and blind ignorance in order to make the authorities and the public aware of the truth.
Planetarium (M)
Natalie Portman proves she can almost speak French as well as Jodie Foster or Kristin Scott Thomas in this 1930s-set drama about two American sisters who claim to have the ability to contact the dead. Catching the eye of a Parisian film producer, the pair suddenly become unlikely movie stars, although they and others remain somewhat sceptical about his motives. An artfully short story with plenty of twists and turns.
Saint Amour (M)
Gerard Depardieu proves he’s still a drawcard in this funny road movie about an estranged father and son who attempt to bond over a wine trail. Bizarrely hiring a Paris taxi driver to help them on their way, they drink in a number of stops, romantic liaisons and crazy scenarios. A kind of Broken Flowers-meets On My Way by way of The Hangover.
Slack Bay (R13)
Fabrice Luchini and a wonderfully acerbic Juliette Binoche star in this early 20th century-set black comedy about the rather clumsy investigation into the disappearance of tourists in France’s northern climes. While the Abbot and Costello-esque detectives bumble their way to the truth, a budding romance between local boy Ma Loute Brufort (Brandon Lavieville) and the visiting Billie (Raph) threatens to expose many long-held secrets.
The Unknown Girl (M)
Those Belgian brothers of bleak, the Dardennes (Two Days, One Night, The Kid With a Bike), are back with another gripping, very human drama. Jenny (Adele Haenel) is a young GP with a very bright future until a girl is found dead shortly after the medic failed to open the door to her practice to her. Haunted by guilt, Jenny rejects a lucrative career advancement so she can find out more about the woman she failed and ensure she isn’t forgotten.
Standing Tall (R16)
Fans of Ken Loach films should definitely check out Emmanuelle Bercot’s gripping coming-of-age tale. Reminiscent of the British director’s Sweet Sixteen or The Angels’ Share, this is the story of hot-headed, troubled teen Malony (Rod Pardot), his struggles to stay out of the juvenile justice system and his ‘‘relationship’’ with judge Florence Blaque (a superb Catherine Deneuve).
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (PG)
Now perhaps better known as one of the inspirations for this year’s Oscar frontrunner La La Land, Jacques Demy’s musical drama took home the Palme D’or in 1964. Starring a young Catherine Deneuve, it’s the four-act story of the lives of umbrella saleswoman Genevieve Emery and mechanic Guy Fouche. As Washington Post’s Hal Hinson succinctly put it, ‘‘it’s a glorious romantic confection unlike any other in movie history’’. ❚ The Christchurch leg of the 2017 edition of French Film Festival will take place at Hoyts Northlands from March 9-26. It will also visit Wellington (March 1-22), Auckland (March 2-22), Nelson (March 8-22), Timaru (March 9-19), Arrowtown (March 16-26), Tauranga (March 16-26), Palmerston North (March 22 to April 2), New Plymouth (March 23 to April 5), Hamilton (March 23 to April 12), Havelock North (March 29 to April 12) and Dunedin (March 30 to April 12). For more information, see frenchfilmfestival.co.nz