Long live the Alliance Française French Film Festival, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary showcasing the biggest festival ever. Last year 18,000 people attended the festival with this year set to draw in crowds even larger between 7 March and 10 April.
A whopping 54 movies, including comedies, documentaries, historical films, children movies among others, and eight special events to compliment the French cinema will fill the month. Organisers say the variety of the 2019 line-up means both young and older audiences are catered to and a balance of art, film and creative movies makeup the list of both broad and intimate storylines.
One not to miss is Sink or Swim, an unashamedly French take on the challenges of 21st century masculinity. A standing ovation was in order at Cannes when the movie premiered with an impressive cast of French A-list acting talent.
Thursday 7 March 6.30pm, promises an opening night to remember, prepare for all your senses to be French certified. The festival will commence with the screening of French comedy The Trouble with You by Pierre Salvadori, starring Audrey Tautou. After some quality viewing embark on a journey of sound, saxophones and violins are highlights of the after party which will be held at the newly revamped Ovolo Nishi. While Canberra International Music Festival put on a show immerse entirely into French culture with cheese, bread, macarons and of course wine.
For those who don’t mind a rom-com Wednesday 13 March is Ladies’ Night and will showcase Dumped by Eloise Lang; and Friday 15 March a film called Rolling to You starring French humourist Franck Dubosc who plays a womaniser and a serial liar.
The two Francophone country special events will feature on Wednesday 20 March in partnership with the Royal Embassy of Belgium for the movie Keep Going set in Kyrgystan and Thursday 21 March in partnership with the High Commission of Canada for the screening of Genesis, the multi-award nominee at film festivals worldwide. For each special event there will be a pre-screening reception with food and drinks.
Gastronomy Night Thursday 28 March is arguably the most important of all. In partnership with Ainslie IGA, lovers of wine will enjoy the Wine Calling documentary highlighting the winemakers shaking up the status quo of the French wine industry. This film will introduce you to world of some organic winemakers in the south of France, while Ainslie Cellars take you on their own journey through the vine-covered hillside to explore some fine vintages.
For your chance to win a double pass to the closing night, tell us below what your favourite thing about French culture is and why?
