Viva French Cinema

by Sandy Mandelberger, North American Editor

New Yorkers have the opportunity to fall madly in love with French cinema (again) as the 17th edition of the annual Rendez-Vous with French Cinema festival will take place for 10 days starting March 1. Hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Unifrance Films, the event will showcase more than 24 French films, premiering for the first time in New York. The program includes the latest gems from such beloved auteurs as André Téchiné, Benoit Jacquot, and Alain Cavalier, as well as the introduction of the newest generation of French film artists.

Festivities begin with the Opening Night film, THE UNTOUCHABLES by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. The film has been a phenomenon in France, shattering box-office records to become the second most successful film of all time, THE UNTOUCHABLES tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between a handicapped white millionaire (François Cluzet) and his unconventional Senegalese caretaker (breakout star Omar Sy). The film will be released in North America by The Weinstein Company later this year. Closing the event on March 11 is the premiere of DELICACY (La Délicatesse) by the team of David and Stéphane Foenkinos. French superstar Audrey Tautou (AMELIE) returns to the big screen with this touching portrait of a woman trying to put her life back together after the loss of her husband. In this charming adult fable, she embarks on an unexpected affair with a co-worker. The film will be released later this year in the U.S. by Cohen Media Group.

Other highlights of the program include a retrospective screening of one of the most beloved French films of all time, CHILDREN OF PARADISE (1943) by Marcel Carné, and a collaboration with digital distributor Emerging Pictures, which will showcase a group of films by emerging French filmmakers including Delphine Gleize’s MOON CHILD, Rabah Ameur-Zaïméche’s SMUGGLERS’ SONGS, Alain Cavalier’s PATER and Laurent Achard’s THE LAST SCREENING, with video-delivered question and answer sessions with the directors. Also look for highly popular French actors Daniel Auteuil in THE WELL-DIGGER’S DAUGHTER and Mathieu Amalric in THE SCREEN ILLUSION.

Screenings will take place all over New York including the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the IFC Center and the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. For more information on the full program, visit: www.rendezvouswithfrenchcinema.com or www.filmlinc.com