That’s why the yearly French film festival in Manila is an event film lovers look forward to. That’s why it has lasted this long and still going strong.
In last Tuesday’s preview of the film “La graine et le mulet” (The secret of the grain), Martin Macalintal, head of the audio-visual section of the French Embassy, said in selecting movies to be shown in the festival they always make sure that they are the latest releases. Although there are a number of historical or period films in past festivals, the bulk of the films showcase French contemporary society.
“La Graine et le mulet” is about a 60-year old divorce who was retrenched from his job at the shipyard. In relating how the main character copes with the crisis in his past mid-life (putting up a restaurant that offers couscous , a grain dish, on a junk ship), the film also shows family relationships in today’s France.
Another admirable thing about French films is that their stars are not always the usual young ,handsome and pretty actors and actresses. They stress more on character. And yes, seductive scenes, are part and parcel of French movies.
Screening schedule of La Graine et let mulet: June 4, 6 p.m.;June 6, 3 p.m.;June 9, 3 p.m.;June 11, 9 p.m. and June 13, 9 p.m.
Another film I will make sure not to miss is ” L’immortel” (22 Bullets) starring Jean Reno and directed by Richard Berry. The synopsis says “Charly Mattei has turned over a new leaf and left his criminal past behind. For three years now he has been leading a peaceful existence dedicated to his wife and their two children. However, one winter morning, he is left for dead in a parking lot in the old port of Marseille, his body riddled with 22 bullets. To everyone’s general astonishment, he doesn’t die. Based on real life, the story has been reinvented within the Marseille gangster underworld.”
Screening Schedule: June 10, 12 noon;June 12, 6 p.m.;June 13, 3 p.m.
Martin recommends “L’Heure d’ete’” (Summer Hours) starring Juliette Binoche. It’s about two brothers and a sister witnessing the disappearance of their childhood memories when they must relinquish their family belongings to ensure their deceased mother’s succession.
Martin said it’s close to his heart because of the issue of inheritance that his own family also had to deal with.
Screening schedule: June 4, 12 noon;June 6, 6 p.m.;June 9, 9 p.m.;June 11, 3 p.m.;June 13, 12 noon.
I think I will also watch “Dans Le Vie” (Two Ladies), about Esther, an elderly Jewish lady, who is in need of regular home care. Just when her son Elie is about to reach the end of his rope, Muslim day nurse Selima offers to help out. Soon, a new relationship blossoms, and the women’s lives are changed for the better. Screening schedule: June 5, 9 p.m. and June 8, 3 p.m.
The festival will again pay tribute to Filipino filmmakers and this year, they have included Brillante Mendoza’s “Lola” which has been shown in Paris theaters.
“Lola” which stars Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio features two grandmothers who are linked together by a homicide-robbery case. Lola Josefa “Sepa” Quimpo (Anita Linda) lost her grandson, while Lola Purificacion Burgos’ grandson Mateo is the suspected killer. Both elderly women set about raising money from their meager possessions for their beloved grandsons. It will be shown on June 12, 9 p.m.
Other films and screening schedule:
L’Amour c’est mieux a deux (The Perfect Date): June 3, 7:30 p.m.;June 7, 6 p.m.;June 10, 9 p.m.
(Le Genou De Claire (Claire’s Knee) :June 6, Sunday, 12 noon;June 8, Tuesday, 6 p.m. and
June 11, Friday, 9 p.m.
Les Bureaux de Dieu (God’s Offices):June 4, 9 p.m.;June 7, 3 p.m.;June 9, 12 noon;June 13, 6 p.m.
June 13, 9 p.m.
La Fille Du Rer (The Girl on the Train): June 4, 3 p.m.;June 6, 9 p.m.;June 9, 6 p.m.;June 11, 12 noon
Le Premier Venu (Just Anybody):June 5, 3 p.m.;June 7, 9 p.m.;June 10, 6 p.m.;June 12, 12 noon
Welcome: June 5, 6 p.m.;June 8, 12 noon;June 10, 3 p.m.
Le Beau Marriage (The Good Marriage):June 7, 12 noon;June 8, 9 p.m.;June 11, 6 p.m.
The festival transfers to the Cultural Center of the Philippines from June 15 to 20, Ayala Center in Cebu on June 18 to 20; and at the UP Film Institute on June 22 to 24.
Call 633-2227 for more information on the French Film Festival in Manila or log on to http://www.spot.ph/2010/06/02/from-france-with-love-the-15th-french-film-festival-in-manila/
Kailangan katabi si Anna kung manonood para maintindihan.
Yung 22 Bullets napanood ko na (bootleg copy), halos 2 oras at predictable ng konti. Si Jean Reno lang ang saving grace ng movie.
Isusunod ko yung kay beautiful Juliet Binoche.
Thanks for the mini review of 22 Bullets, Oblak.
I’m interested with “Lola” by Brillante Mendoza but screening schedule is too late for me. Wala nang MRT past 10:30 pm.
I’m afraid it would be like last year when many were not accommodated. The producers allow only one screening for the Filipino film.
Anna, have you seen any of those films?
Last year, “Vincent” was interesting. It was about Van Gogh.
I missed another French classic, “Indochine”, in past French filmfest.
I’ll see if I can get a copy to do a review of one of the above.
I recommend an old film, if you can get a hold of it – L’appartement (1996) starring Monica Belucci. Maganda ang mga twists, and subplots.
Hi Ellen… I saw L’Heure d’été to see Juliette Binoche. It wasn’t bad. Binoche made it a worthwhile see.
I saw Indonchine on TV starring Catherine Deneuve. It was a beautiful movie because of the setting and liked it (dialogue so so). Although Catherine Deneuve is a gorgeous woman (or was), as an actress, she’s a bit lacking in passion. I liked her acting in her earlier movies though, eg. Les parapluies de Cherbourg and Belle de Jour.
I saw Vincent — it was ok.
Am not a movie buff in that I hate going and queuing at cinemas (even if you reserve in advance, you face the same problem because hundreds have the same idea at the same time!) so I wait for the movie to be shown on TV or buy the DVD to avoid having to quieu.
Oblak… hehehe, if I were sitting beside you in a movie house to watch one of those films while doing simultaneous translation, we would be kicked out by fellow viewers! 🙂
I like the old French classics (not the new ones save for very rare few) — I have a DVD collection of them; I devour old French classic comedy and dramatic films (1940s to late 70s) and would watch them still today.
When I arrived in Paris as a young student (I was 18 heheh!), one of the things I did to immerse myself in French was to go to the old cinematheques to watch old movies every Friday (even if at the beginning I couldn’t understand half of what the actors were saying.)
By the way, Ellen, popular French comedian Franck Dubosc is in the Philippines today with the entire cast of “Changement d’Identité”, a French film on location shooting in Philippines.
The story is about two gangsters… He is teamed up with Richard Berry, one of France’s famous stars.
Dubosc was interviewed on French TV a while ago and he said, he is doing a film on location in a country with magnificent people (his own words: “gens magnifiques” )
Would be good if you could interview them. 🙂
Oooops, “in a country of magnificent people” — referring of course to Filipinos (in Cebu).
Anne, Richard Berry is director of 22 Bullets. Yes, I remember, it was mentioned by Martin Macalintal that Berry might drop by in the festival.