The Silver Anniversary of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is a golden opportunity to see the latest French language films as well as reacquainting or discovering the work of two masters – Jacques Tati and Francoise Truffaut.
Screening over 20 days at 4 cinemas, the festival commences, ironically with THE FINISHERS, a seeming cinematic kindred spirit to The Intouchables, which sees a wheel chair bound teen take part in an Ironman competition.
Star of the The Intouchables, Francois Cluzet headlines two of the major films – a heist caper called 11.6 and TURNING TIDE in which he portrays a solo yachtsman.
The other star of The Intouchables, Omar Sy pops up in ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, a mismatched cop comedy with Sy doing Eddie Murphy schtick.
Leading ladies Juliette Binoche, Fanny Ardant, Diane Kruger and Nathalie Baye each have pictures in the exhibition, but the delicious Emmanuelle Devos is the belle of the fete with three films that show her exquisite range.
The 2014 Film selection is divided up into characters for easy delectation – Love is in the Air, Life Stories, Ventures and Adventures, Giggle & Grin, and Family Ties.
Three films aimed at children, a live action BILLY & BUDDY and two animations, KIRIKOU & THE MEN AND WOMEN and MY MOMMY IS IN AMERICA AND SHE MET BUFFALO BILL will premiere at the festival as well as a trio of documentaries centred around French Polynesia.
Running from March 4 through to March 23 at The Verona, Chauval, Norton Street, and Hayden Orpheum picture palaces, the 25th French Film Festival promises to be a buffet grande for film buffs.
Since its budding in 1989, the event has burgeoned, blossomed and bloomed by a staggering 200% and next year’s event is destined to boost admissions further.
For more information in regards to the Festival visit the Fsetival’s official website-http://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/