Alliance Française French Film Festival invites you to their glamorous and oh-so-French Opening Night!
The 34th edition of the largest celebration of French film outside of France arrives in Canberra from 9 March to 5 April, when the culturally curious will once again venture to the cinema and be seduced by a season of electrifying French storytelling.
The complete crème-de-la-crème programme of contemporary French films has been revealed, presenting a selection of 39 films. From dramas to comedies, romance to absurd, there is something for everyone at the French Film Festival. This year’s selection includes absolute must-see films, contemporary stories with fascinating and modern characters which will bring families, francophiles and cinephiles together.
Setting the scene with a heady dose of glamour, lust and manipulation, Nicolas Bedos’ Masquerade opens the festival with an Australian premiere. An official selection of Cannes Film Festival 2022, the sexy and glamorous drama transports cinemagoers to the dreamy shores of Côte d’Azur.
Masquerade follows Adrien (Pierre Niney), an aspiring dancer whose dreams are suddenly dashed when he is hit with an injury. Succumbing to laziness, he relies on his beauty to seduce older, wealthy women who happily support his lavish lifestyle. Our protagonist is content living with doting Martha (Isabelle Adjani); that is, until he meets captivating Margot (Marine Vacth). The Opening Night promises an evening of French champagne, cheese and canapés, while watching a scandalous and scenic film happening on the French Riviera.
Speaking on the festival’s imminent arrival, Karine Mauris, Festival Artistic Director and Cultural Attachée to the French Embassy in Australia, said: “2023 represents our most dynamic programme to date.”
“The hilarity of a meta-zombie comedy, suspenseful thrillers and historical dramas that will have you clinging to the edge of your seat, family-friendly flicks and of course, l’amour in all its forms!
“With over 153,000 eager spectators in attendance last year alone, we’re looking forward to reaffirming our emphasis on discovering the latest and greatest French talent and bringing impactful storytelling to new audiences.”
The French Film Festival will be running its traditional special events, including Ladies Night (featuring Two Tickets to Greece starring Laure Calamy and Kristin Scott-Thomas), Taste of France (featuring Sugar and Stars) and Human Rights Night (featuring Annie’s Fire), presenting some of the best films of this year’s line-up. Cinephiles and gastronomy lovers will join together to enjoy some French canapés and wine before these screenings.
Another Festival highlight is Cédric Jimenez’s November. Led by an all-star cast of iconic talent, November powerfully explores the perspective of the lead investigators of the French anti-terrorism services, working against the clock in the aftermath of the 2015 attacks across Paris. After premiering to acclaim at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, November stormed the local box office to become one of the most successful French films of the year (achieving a spectacular 2.4 million admissions).
Returning festival ambassador and renowned Australian actor David Wenham AM said: “Culture is the beating heart of French society. Over the past century, French cinema has not only captured major and minor events and documented changes in political, social and daily life, it has been a major influence on how the rest of the world approaches making films and telling stories in a continuing journey to understand who we are and what we do. French cinema, for me, is always alive!”
The Alliance Française French Film Festival will start on Thursday 9 March at Palace Electric Cinema, New Acton, closing on 5 April. Visit affrenchfilmfestival.org/canberra for more information, sessions and bookings.
