Returning to Palace Cinemas from late February until mid- April, the 29th annual Alliance Française French Film Festival will look to spoil audiences with a selection of 47 feature films, 2 documentaries and a TV series, all of which will seek to embody the passion, diversity and artistry of contemporary French cinema.
Artistic Director Philippe Platel will return for his second year at the helm, and has selected a line-up of impressive projects that touch on themes like courage and friendship. The lineup will also feature a LGBT strand of productions in celebration of Australia’s recent ‘yes’ vote, legalising same-sex marriage.
The Festival will launch this year with C’est la vie! (Le sens de la fête), a comedy from duo Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache who brought us the 2011 hit The Intouchables.
C’est la vie! (Le sens de la fête) was shown on the closing night of the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, and stars Jean-Pierre Bacri as Max, a famed caterer and event organiser tasked with creating a fairytale wedding at an exclusive 17th century château. Assisted with a hopeless crew, Max will be pushed to the brink, as his event slowly descends into hilarious chaos.
50 Is the New 30 will screen on closing night, as audiences will be treated to a heartwarming romantic comedy, that won many hearts at the French box-office. 50 Is the New 30 sees Valérie Lemercier (Royal Palace!, The Visitors) as Marie-Francine, a 50 year-old who has been abandoned by her husband for a younger woman in the same week that she loses her job. As she returns to live with her over-bearing parents, she opens an e-cigarette boutique, where a neighbouring chef kickstarts her heart at a time when her life seems like a confusing crossroads.
Opening and closing night hold between them an array of impressive and innovative dramas, romantic comedies, historic epics and tales of self-discovery that will delight a variety of audiences. For the full programme you can visit http://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org
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