Summer is the perfect time to indulge in French films – Festival du Cinéma Français 2010 will take place from June 14 – 27, in the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Sderot and Rosh Pina Cinematheques.
A diverse offering of films, representing the best in contemporary French cinema were selected by Lionel Choukroun, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Israel and Caroline Boneh, Director of Eden Cinema. Opening the festival will be Le petit Nicolas by Laurent Tirard, whose film Moliere opened the festival in 2007. The film is based on the “Le Petit Nicolas” books by Rene Goscinny (creator of Asterix) and Jean-Jacques Sempe. Tirard and Gregoire Vigneron, who wrote the screenplay, will be guests of the festival, as well as Pascal Chaumeil, director of L’arancoeur (Heartbreaker). The festival, now in its 7th year, was initiated by the Cultural Department of the French Embassy in Israel and Eden Cinema, distributors of French films in Israel and is made possible by TV5MONDE.
The festival will include a special tribute to Serge Gainsbourg (1928 – 1991), singer-songwriter, actor and director. Born in Paris to Russian Jewish parents, Gainsbourg’s early influences were the poet Boris Vian and the French chanson. Yet he experimented with many styles over the course of his musical career, from jazz to pop in the 1960s, rock and reggae in the 1970s and electronica in the 1980s. His song “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” performed by French teen France Gall, won first prize in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest and brought him international recognition. His love for freedom of expression was also expressed in the subject matter of his songs. “Je t’aime… moi non plus,” which Gainsbourg said was the “ultimate love song” featured explicit lyrics and sounds, generating considerable controversy as it rose to the top ten of the pop charts in many European countries.
Gainsbourg composed the soundtrack to over 40 films, receiving a posthumous César Award for Best Music Written for a Film for Élisa. He directed four movies: Je t’aime… moi non plus, Équateur, Charlotte For Ever and Stan The Flasher. The festival’s tribute to Gainsbourg will include a documentary on his life and music, Gainsbourg, l’homme qui aimait les femmes by Didier Varrod and Pascal Forneri. There will also be screenings of films for which he composed the soundtrack such as L’eau à la bouche , or directed, such as Charlotte For Ever.
The festival’s films will include:
Le petit Nicolas by Laurent Tirard, France/Belgium 2009
Young Nicolas is convinced that his parents are about to have another child, and he is not happy about it. In order to prevent the upcoming disaster, he recruits his classmates for one sole goal: to hire a hit man who will eliminate the newborn child…. Based on a successful comic book series by René Goscinny (creator of Asterix and Obelix), Le petit Nicolas enjoys a simple plotline, elements humor, and a central hero with whom everyone will identify. Valerie Lemercier and Kad Merad. 91 minutes.
Heartbreaker (L’arancoeur) by Pascal Chaumeil, France/UK 2010
Your daughter is going out with a nasty character? Your sister is stuck in a destructive, passionate relationship? Nowadays, there is a radical solution available; it’s called Alex. His job is professional couple-wrecker. His method is seduction. His mission is to transform any boyfriend into an ex. But Alex has an ethical code; he only deals with couples where the woman is unhappy. So why does he agree to break up a rich and happy couple in their thirties who are getting married in a week’s time? Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis. 104 minutes.
Rapt by Lucas Belvaux, France/Belgium 2009
Stanislas Graff, a multinational industrialist, is kidnapped from his company car on the eve of his visit in China. Humiliated, bound hand and foot, eyes covered, stripped of any protective covering and without his wife or mistress, he is led to a secret location outside the city. The kidnappers’ demand: 50,000,000 euro. How much is a human life worth? His company has one agenda, his family has another, and the police have entirely different considerations. How does all this bode for the chances of his release? Lucas Belavaux, one of the leading suspense directors in Europe, presents Rapt, a film based on a true incident-the late 1970s kidnapping of millionaire Baron Edouard-Jean Empain. Yvan Attal, Anne Consigny. 126 minutes.
Bus Palladium by Christopher Thompson, France 2010
1985. “Lust” is a Parisian rock band with big aspirations. The only obstacle in their way is the bad blood that runs between its members: the soloist quotes poetry and is self involved while the guitarist lusts the soloist’s groupies. In between, too many drugs and too little rock ‘n’ roll…. Christopher Thompson has acquired a name for himself as a promising scriptwriter. In his first film as director, he properly follows the rules of the genre with a generous acting ensemble and an entertaining soundtrack. Marc-Andre Grondin, Arthur Dupont, 101 minutes.
Les aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec by Luc Besson, France 2009.
Adèle Blanc-Sec is a popular novelist who barely manages to escape her sworn enemy, archaeologist Dieuleveult, when they are on a research mission in Egypt. Back in Paris, she discovers that a mad scientist released a dinosaur into the sky. Yes, you heard correctly, a dinosaur. Before the two not-so-successful detectives try to hunt down the dinosaur, Adèle decides to use the situation for her own good. Based on a thirty-year-plus successful comic book series, Luc Besson presents an enjoyable action-filled picture. Louise Bourgoin, Mathieru Amalri, 105 minutes.
Comme les cinq doigts de la main by Alexandre Arcady, France 2010.
They are five brothers that look a like, but couldn’t be any more different. Five brothers raised by a widowed mother. One brother left and upon his return, he is pursued by a crew of drug dealers. Now the five brothers will have to work together to protect themselves and to seek revenge for their father’s death. Patrick Bruel , Pascal Elbé, 117 minutes.
Tenue de soirée by Bertrand Blier, France 1986.
Antoine and Monique are not happy – until they meet Bob, a charming burglar who fancies Antoine. Monique, who feels useless, becomes a prostitute. Gérard Depardieu, Miou- Miou, 85 minutes.
Silent Voices (Qu’un seul tienne et les autres suivront) by Lea Fehner, France 2009.
Laure, from a good family, falls in love with Alexandre, a slightly temperamental young man from Marseille’s suburbs. When he is sent to jail, she asks the distant Antoine to escort her to the place. Stéphane is tired of his girlfriend’s nagging, and agrees to sit in jail in exchange for a hefty sum. Zora has made her way from Algeria to visit the man who killed her son. Lea Fehner directs an empathetic and restrained film around these th ree stories – all set in Marseille’s prison. Pauline Etienne, Julien Lucas, Farida Rahouadj, 120 minutes.
Partners by Frederic Mermoud, France/Switzerland 2009.
Hervé and Karine are police detectives investigating a male prostitution ring. Moments earlier, when Vincent confesses to his girlfriend that he makes a living as a male prostitute, she decides to stay with him and even join him in order to gain a better understanding of his world. Frederic Mermoud moves between these two time frames to present an effective criminal thriller. Gilbert Melki, Emmanuelle Devos, 93 minutes.
Father of My Children by Mia Hansen-Love, France 2009.
Grégoire Canvel is an independent filmmaker in Paris. He’s married with three daughters, but his foremost obligation is to his career. When his production company goes broke, his wife and daughters must deal with the emotional and physical consequences. Mia Hansen-Love presents a family melodrama with an equal measure of emotion and courage. Chiara Caselli, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, 110 minutes.
Persecution by Patrice Chereau, France 2009.
After being subjected to a violent incident on the metro, Daniel encounters a strange man who demonstrates an exaggerated amount of affection towards him. Upon returning home, Daniel’s relationship with Sonia takes a turn for the worse. She leaves, while he becomes increasingly insecure. In the meantime, the strange man continues to insinuate himself into Daniel’s life. Why is this all happening? Romain Duris , Charlotte Gainsbourg, 98 minutes.
In the Beginning by Xavier Giannoli, France 2009.
After spending a few years in jail for impersonation and fraud, Paul is released and finds himself in a town in northern France. Without any prior intention, Paul passes himself off as the boss of a construction site building a highway extension and recruits the local suppliers to pay him to participate in the project. The operation seems to be running smoothly until he meets the Mayor’s wife…. Director Xavier Giannoli uses these materials to create an excellent drama presenting a realistic picture of an impoverished town, a complex portrayal of human behavior, and a criminal plot that takes on a rhythm and emotional toll of its own. Francois Cluzet, Emmanuelle Devos, 150 minutes.
Charlotte for Ever by Serge Gainsbourg, France 1986.
In his provocative 1986 film, Serge Gainsbourg plays a scriptwriter morning the death of his wife. While developing suicidal tendencies, he decides to invest his feelings in the only living being that connects him to his wife -his daughter. Charlotte for Ever is also the title of a musical album and song which Charlotte Gainsbourg performed at age 15. As always with Gainsbourg, the result is not simple, yet remains intriguing, surprising, and thought provoking. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Serge Gainsbourg, 94 minutes.
Mademoiselle Chambon by Stéphane Brizé, France 2009.
Jean is a simple construction worker. He is married to a factory employee and devotes his thoughts to his daily routine. When he meets his son’s teacher, Veronique, he senses an immediate connection. Gradually, Jean insinuates himself, helping Veronique with daily tasks and taking an interest in her hobbies. Will they consummate their passion? Stéphane Brizé is one of the most interest voices in French cinema today. In this film, a thought-provoking drama, he casts excellent actors to portray the inner conflict of his characters. Vincent Lindon, Sandrine Kiberlain, 100 minutes.
London River by Rachid Bouchareb, France/UK/Algiers, 2009.
The 2005 London terror attacks. Two worried parents arrive in the city. One is Elizabeth, who arrives from the British Channel islands in search of her daughter; the other is Ousmane, who sets out in search of his estranged son Ali. The paths of the two parents will unexpectedly collide during the search. Rachid Bouchareb touches upon the pain of international terror and analyzes questions of identity and prejudice in an age of terror and globalization. Brenda Blethyn, Sotigui Kouyate, 87 minutes.
Gainsbourg, l’homme qui aimait les femmes by Didier Varrod, Pascal Forneri, France 2010.
Journalist, Author, and director Didier Varrod first met Serge Gainsbourg in 1984. It was a meeting he would never forget. He was also present for Gainsbourg last public appearance in December 1990. Marking 20 years to Gainsbourg’s death, Varrod, together with Pascel Forneri, directs an intimate portrait of the French legend. Gainsbourg had an ability to create unforgettable songs, especially for his muses, the women – Gréco, Bardot, Birkin, Paradis, and others. 94 minutes.
L’eau à la bouche by Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, France 1959.
After the death of a rich old lady, the family lawyer brings her heirs together in the woman’s castle to discuss the will. From thereon relationships are put to the test and change over and over again. The film’s score was composed by the young Serge Gainsbourg in his first attempt at a film’s musical score. Françoise Brion, Bernadette Lafont, 83 minutes.
The French Kissers by Riad Sattouf, France 2009.
Hervé and Camel are two wiseass teenagers who have one goal in life: to get laid. But hold on, the two don’t even know how to talk to girls, let alone say hello. When Hervé inexplicably catches the eye of the sweet but equally hormone-fuelled Aurore, he’s pushed to choose between his first probable girlfriend, his unquenchable libido, and his best friend…. Meet Riad Sattouf, France’s version of Judd Apatow, who brings us a fresh, smart, and all flat-out hilarious comedy. Vincent Lacoste, Anthony Sonigo, 87 minutes.
Anna by Pierre Koralnik, France 1967.
Pierre Koralnik brings us a 1960s French-television treat. An advertising manager in a fashion house falls in love with the portrait of a model he has never met. The theatrical presence of the two lead actors, the musical parts, Serge Gainsbourg’s charismatic presence and soundtrack, all make Anna a must see for any film lover. Anna Karina , Jean-Claude Brialy, 85 minutes.
Neuilly sa mère! By Gabriel Julien-Laferriere, France 2009.
Fourteen-year-old Samy lives in a housing project where everyone is of Arab descent. When his mother gets a job on a ship, he moves in with his aunt in Neuilly-sur-Seine – Sarkozy’s birth town. Here, things are totally different: the kids are light and have plenty of ambition. His cousin aspires to become the next Sarkozy and works on his walk, speech, and body language. It’s very entertaining. Other kids want to become white rappers and don’t know what to make of the new boy, our Samy. Neuilly sa mère! is a warm-hearted comedy that cleverly deals with the social tension tearing apart at French. Samy Seghir, Jeremy Denisty, 91 minutes.
Je vous aime by Claude Berri, France 1980.
Thirty five-year-old Alice has a career, lovers, and children. She only enjoys the beginnings of relationships, as the initial passion fades, she tires of the relationship, she suffers and hurts those around her. On Christmas Eve, Alice invites her past lovers and recollects shared pasts. Serge Gainsbourg’s score accompanies the film. Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Louis Trintignant, 100 minutes.
For tickets and information:
Tel Aviv Cinematheque, 03-5157929, www.cinema.co.il
Jerusalem Cinematheque, 02-5654356, www.jer-cin.org.il
Haifa Cinematheque, 04-8104299, www.ethos.co.il/cinema
Sderot Cinematheque, 08-6897741, www.sderot-cin.org.il
Rosh Pina, 04-6801453, www.roshpinacine.com
