The Festival, the only francophone film event in the UK, always aims to provide audiences with a glittering, stimulating, and at times challenging array of films. There is also an opportunity to view some select titles online (on a special offer) via Curzon’s streaming platform, Curzon at Home, and this year including Krzysztof Kieślowski’s famed Three Colours Trilogy. And also to watch at home is the latest selection from the Mobile Film Festival featuring award-winning African film-makers.
Festival Director Richard Mowe said “Now entering its fourth decade, the French Film Festival UK embraces the richness and diversity of francophone cinema and seeks to expand cultural horizons. Mutually appreciative links have been forged over the last 12 months with like-minded Festivals in Dinard and Angoulême.
Working with UK distributors and French sales agents the line-up includes films from Quebec, Switzerland, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo and France, and includes an Oscar contender (The Taste of Things) and a Palme d’Or winner (Anatomy of a Fall). On any view it’s going to be an excellent vintage. Vive le cinéma!”
The organisers of French Film Festival UK pay tribute to the legion of loyal audiences, sponsors, funders, as well as passionate and committed individuals, who every year ensure the festival comes to vibrant life – not only in November and December, but also as part of the film events throughout the year. The Festival opens officially with the UK premiere of the inspirational Divertimento, in London on 1 November.”
The film which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet (only the third woman to win the accolade) and Oscar contender The Taste of Things with Juliette Binoche headline the official selection of a diverse range of titles for this year’s 31st edition running from 1 November to 14 December.
Festival audiences will have the first chance to preview these two titles as well as many more on release imminently or in the weeks and months to come all thanks to the support of UK distributors who value the Festival as an important showcase in the promotion of francophone cinema on these shores.
Lining up to attend are Anatomy of a Fall’s Justine Triet (London Ciné Lumière 2 Nov); Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar (Divertimento, London Ciné Lumière 1 Nov with screenings elsewhere) and Pierre-Henri Gibert with Viva Varda!, his documentary on icon Agnès Varda (exclusively at Institut français d’Ecosse 17 Nov). Agnès Jaoui and director Frédéric Sojcher will be in attendance on 4 Nov at Ciné Lumière for the UK Premiere of The Course of Life and Swiss filmmaker Laurent Nègre will put in an appearance for A Forgotten Man (at Ciné Lumière with screenings elsewhere).
Other highlights include Berlin Golden Bear Winner On the Adamant by Nicolas Philibert; Thomas Cailley’s stunning second feature The Animal Kingdom; Martin Provost’s beautiful painterly drama Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe; Christian Carion’s heart-warming Driving Madeleine with Dany Boon and veteran Line Renaud; the sixth feature by Oscar-nominated Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, Four Daughters; and wicked thriller The Origin of Evil by Sébastien Marnier featuring Laure Calamy. Quebec’s Monia Chokri (actress turned film-maker) offers a sexy rom-com, The Nature of Love. Two Belgian talents, rapper Baloji making a stunning debut with Omen while compatriot Bas Devos tugs at the heart-strings in Brussels-based Here which had the critics heaping on praise in Berlin earlier in the year. Female camaraderie comes to the fore in Two Tickets to Greece by Marc Fitoussi with a trio of fine performances by Olivia Côte, Laure Calamy, and Kristin Scott Thomas.
After making its debut in 1992 in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Festival has grown exponentially in scope and stature, retaining its passion for exciting new cinematic voices and support for female talents. The Schools Programme for young audiences has attracted more than 13,000 viewers with teachers continuing to applaud the unique initiative. The programme is organised into different strands and sections.
Panorama features new and recent works by acclaimed filmmakers, including Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, Ivan Calbérac, Thomas Cailley, and Martin Provost.
The Showcase strand presents a variety of stunning titles with UK distribution confirmed including Justine Triet’s stimulating courtroom thriller Anatomy of a Fall, and Christian Carion’s subtle and sweet drama Driving Madeleine.
Within the Classics strand is Je t’aime… moi non plus, the sublime homage to the late legendary Jane Birkin by director (and partner) Serge Gainsbourg plus two gripping crime dramas, The Big Risk (by Claude Sautet) and The Sicilian Clan (by Henri Verneuil) both featuring the unforgettable Lino Ventura.
The Festival is supported by the Institut français in London and Scotland; Screen Scotland; Air France; Unifrance; TotalEnergies; the Franco-Scottish Society; Wallonie-Bruxelles; Alliance française; and Prestonfield House Hotel (Edinburgh).
Jim Welsh
Radio Summerhall Arts 