Events

The Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York is hosting a month-long 50th anniversary celebration of French children’s publisher L’École des Loisirs, known for its irreverent and boundary-pushing stories that empower children to explore and indulge their curiosity. Festivities include a free, first-ever U.S. exhibition of original drawings by L’École des Loisirs illustrators, and a series of free kids’ workshops at Albertine Books, MoMA Design Store in SoHo, and The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn.

Curated by writer and blogger Maria Popova and with support from Honorary Chairman and legendary children’s book author and illustrator Tomi Ungerer, the exhibition will showcase original L’École des Loisirs drawings and rare reprints from timeless classics such as Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Zou by Michel Gay and Le plus malin by Mario Ramos.

All events are free, in English, and open to the public.

The exhibition is open everyday: Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm; Sun: 11am-6

'My Friend Victoria' is a French language film directed by Jean Paul Civeyrac “one of French cinema’s best-kept secrets.” This is his first film to have a U.S. release.

An 8-year-old black child named Victoria, is taken in for a night by the wealthy, white, well-intentioned family of one of her schoolmates. The experience haunts her for years to come, shaping her desires. As an adult she unexpectedly reconnects with the family’s youngest son in an encounter that will redirect her life yet again in this probing and intimate look at the politics of race and class identity.

'My Friend Victoria' will open in New York City at IFC Center on December 4th!

The Pirogue

Buy tickets

A group of African men and one woman leave Senegal in a pirogue captained by a local fisherman to undertake the treacherous crossing of the Atlantic to Spain where they believe better lives and prospects are waiting for them. Directed by Moussa Touré, 2012, Senegal/France/Germany, 86 min, French, Wolof, Spanish, English subt.

NY Premiere

Buy Tickets

BLACK is a “Hood” film set in Montreal, Canada that chronicles the lives of four people – including several youths of Haitian descent – living in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence, aspiring to freedom and happiness. KADHAFI, a 26 year-old aspiring Algerian rapper and ex-member of a street gang, just out of prison, wants to steer clear of troubles. FLEUR, a 17 year-old Haitian mother in an abusive and passionate relationship with her daughter’s father, dreams of leaving the ghetto and becoming a nurse. SUZIE, a 20-year-old white stripper who falls for a gang member. DICKENS, 16 year-old Haitian wants to be part of the street gang controlled by his older brother. Directed by Yves Christian Fournier, 2015, Canada, Drama, 110 min, French/Creole with English subtitles

Part of AFRICAN WOMEN ON THE MOVEBuy tickets

Oumou left her village at fourteen years old to come and work as a servant at Bamako. Endless days, humiliations, low wages. Like tens of thousands young girls from Mali, she endures this in the hope of a better life. In the evening these young servants meet up to release their anger. Supported by a few activists, some start to organize themselves to demand their rights. During this time, Hawa prepares to go to the capital for the first time. Directed by Adeline Gonin, France, 2015, 57min, Bambara, Minianka with English subtitles.

ON A GRÉVÉ / WE, STRIKING 

Part of AFRICAN WOMEN ON THE MOVE

Buy tickets

They are Oulimata, Mariam, Géraldine, Fatoumata…They are about 20 hotel maids who, for months, will confront the two largest hotel chains in Europe.  For the first time, they no longer tolerate how they are treated. They will hold on, with the support of music and dance… Directed by  Denis Gheerbrant, 2014, France, 70min, documentary in French with English subtitles