The best of recent French cinema will be screened from May 1-4
at five cinemas in Shanghai. Films from the last two years include
comedy, romance, drama, thrillers, historical features, animation
and shorts. For decades, French movies have captivated audiences
worldwide for their intellectual content and artistry, setting them
apart from many Hollywood productions. But today's fare is
wide-ranging and engaging - art house plus.
From May 1-4, Shanghai movie fans, especially lovers of French
cinema, will be entertained with 11 French features and 12 shorts
during the "Panorama of French Cinema." They will be screened at
the Shanghai Film Art Center, Studio City Cinema, Cathay Theater,
Wanda International Cinema and Stellar Cinema City.
Most of the films have been released within the past two years
and represent the recent development of French filmmaking. They
include comedy, romance, historical drama, animation, and
thrillers.
The cultural gala will be presented by UniFrance that
facilitates the distribution and promotion of French films
worldwide, the French Embassy and China's State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television.
This is the fourth French film festival in Shanghai, coming here
after Beijing and moves on to Chengdu and Nanjing. It is a
collaboration with the organizing committee of the 10th Shanghai
International Film Festival on June 16-24.
During the exhibition, around 10 top French filmmakers and
artists such as director Catherine Corsini and former James Bond
temptress Carole Bouquet will speak with audiences.
The French film exhibition is the last cultural project before
the Shanghai International Film Festival, says Tang Lijun, an
official of the organizing committee.
"We hope to offer a clear picture of brilliant French film art
and culture," he says.
During the panorama, don't miss Santiago Amigorena's atmospheric
thriller A Few Days in September. The movie that stars
Juliette Binoche and Margaux Chatelier is in some ways Europe's
answer to World Trade Center attack.
Set against the backdrop of the days leading up to September 11,
2001, the story begins with the disappearance of Elliot, an
American CIA agent holding top-secret information on the immediate
security of the world.
Elliot's sole aim is to meet his daughter Orlando, whom he
abandoned 10 years before. His friend and his adoptive son help him
and lead the girl to her father on September 11.
Compared with Oliver Stone's sentimental and simplistic
blockbuster about the tragedy on that date, this high-voltage tale
of espionage, betrayal and financial maneuvers is more intelligent
and complex.
However, Bamako by Abderrahmane Sissako features a
different flavor of sharp satire. It is also the winner of the
Grand Public Award at last year's Cannes Film Festival.
The movie centers on the injustices Africa has faced at the
hands of the World Bank, and how they influence the relationship
between Mele, a bar singer and her unemployed husband Chaka. The
couple is on the verge of breaking up.
Aurore, the feature debut of Nils Tavernier, is another
sensational and romantic piece for the whole family.
There was a kingdom where dance had been banned for many years.
Nevertheless, Aurore, a young princess, continues to dance, keeping
in mind her mother's advice: "Never forget to dance, even if you
are sad." She then falls in love with the court painter, a
penniless man who lives for his art, and must choose between the
crown or love.
The heart of the film is the dance. And almost all the dancers
belong to the Paris Opera Ballet. The heroine is played by Margaux
Chatelier.
Animated film Asterix and the Vikings, directed by
Stefan Fjeldmark and Jesper Moller, will be a favorite for
kids.
This US$25-million animation is based on the hugely popular
comic book by Albert Uderzo. The plot centers around an invasion of
Gaul by the ferocious Vikings, who don't know the meaning of fear
and believe that, if they can learn how, they will be able to
fly.
Short films will also be showcased. Christine Pernin, an
organizer of the film exhibition, says that France has a long
tradition of producing avant-garde shorts. Many celebrated
filmmakers like Luc Besson are keen to discover and support young
talented directors through making short films.
The 12 short films (mostly five minutes in length) to be shown
include Cyril Cohen's Big Family, Stefan Lay's
Kiss and Samuel Miralles' Flame.
During the festival, each showing includes a feature preceded by
a short film. All the movies are screened in their original French
version with both English and Chinese subtitles.
(Shanghai Daily April 27, 2007)
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