Films on the Green Festival presents the free outdoor screening of classic drama THE TANGO LESSON by Sally Potter this Sunday June 11 at 8:30pm in Washington Square Park! #FilmsontheGreen
NEW DATE: Sunday June 11, 2023 at 8:30pm
LOCATION: Washington Square Park - under the arch
Film in French, Spanish and English with English subtitles
FREE and open to the public (no ticket needed)
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THE TANGO LESSON (La Leçon de tango)
Directed by Sally Potter, 1997, Drama, PG, 1h40, UK-France-Argentina-Germany-Netherlands-USA
With Sally Potter, Pablo Verón, Carlos Copello, Carolina Lotti
Dissatisfied with her latest Hollywood screenplay, filmmaker Sally finds solace in tango lessons with Pablo, an Argentinean dancer living in Paris. As their relationship deepens, they strike a deal: if he teaches her to tango, she will make him a movie star. As they work together to make a movie in Buenos Aires, they confront the complexities of their love and conflicting desires.
Films on the Green returns for its 15th edition with a selection of free screenings across nine parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn from June 2 to September 8, 2023. Celebrating the art of dance in film, the festival features 12 stunning features that highlight dance as a universal language that connects cultures and people through the magic of cinema. Join us for a mesmerizing cinematic journey through the world of dance in New York City parks!
Music Box Films is pleased to announce that Alice Winocour’s deeply moving drama REVOIR PARIS starring César Award Best Actress winner Virginie Efira (Other People’s Children) is scheduled to open in New York on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Film Center, and Los Angeles on Friday, June 30 at Laemmle’s Royal, with a national expansion to follow.
After surviving a mass shooting in a Paris restaurant, Mia (Virginie Efira) is haunted, unable to resume life as usual, and left with a total blackout where her memories of the traumatic incident should be. Determined to reconstruct the sequence of events and reestablish a sense of normalcy, Mia finds herself repeatedly returning to the bistro where the shooting happened. In the process, she forms bonds with fellow survivors, including banker Thomas (Benoît Magimel) and teenager Félicia (Nastya Golubeva). Apoignant, emotional and ultimately hopeful tale on grief and healing, REVOIR PARIS is anchored by a career-best performance by Efira who earned the 2023 César for Best Actress. Although fictional, the film was inspired by Winocour’s own brother’s experiences as a survivor of the Bataclan concert hall 2015 attacks.
Writer-director Alice Winocour, a graduate of the prestigious Paris film school FEMIS, made her feature debut with the historical drama Augustine (Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, Camerimage’s Best Directorial Debut Award); her subsequent films are Disorder with Matthias Schoenarts and Diane Kruger (Special Jury Award Mention, AFI Fest) and Proxima with Eva Green and Matt Dillon (Special Jury Prize, San Sebastian Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival). Winocour also co-won the Best Original Screenplay César for Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Oscar nominated film Mustang. She is a member of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard jury.
Elise (Marion Barbeau) thought she had a perfect life: an ideal boyfriend and a promising career as a ballet dancer. It all falls apart the day she catches him cheating on her with her stage backup; and after she suffers an injury on stage, it seems like she might not be able to dance ever again. The path to physical and emotional recovery will lead her away from Paris to a picturesque location in Brittany- where her friends, a new love and freedom of contemporary dance will help her reconnect with her father and most importantly, herself. A heartwarming and inspiring story that tells us how sometimes, the worst thing that could happen may turn out to be the best.
Directed by: Cédric Klapisch
Written by: Santiago Amigorena, Cédric Klapisch
Producers: Cédric Klapisch, Bruno Levy
Cast: Marion Barbeau, Hofesh Shecter, Denis Podalydès, Muriel Robin, Pio Marmaï, François Civil
Elles sont partout, et pourtant, on ne les voit presque pas dans les livres d’apprentis-sage de français langue étrangère. Elles sont souvent une des principales causes de réussite d’une séquence pédagogique, mais on n’en parle que peu, on ne les en-traîne pas, elles sont bannies de l’es-pace scolaire traditionnel, en parti-culier à partir du secondaire*. Elles, ce sont les émotions. En effet, s’il n’est pas rare de voir, dans les enseignements précoces de FLE, des moments de classe centrés sur la vie en commun et sur ce que les élèves ressentent, ces moments n’existent plus pour les apprenants adolescents : la responsabilité de gestion des émotions semble leur être totalement confiée, alors même qu’il s’agit sans conteste d’une étape de la vie où les sentiments s’entre-mêlent, se bousculent et peuvent paralyser. Comment faire alors pour les aider à mieux les gérer et pour créer une communauté bien-veillante pour vos activités en FLE ? Si les enseignants ont l’habitude d’avoir à canaliser les discours des apprenants enfants pendant les ses-sions de classe, à partir de la préado-lescence ils peuvent observer com-ment ils commencent nication dans le contexte social. Ces caractéristiques recouvrent, selon le Cadre, les attitudes, les mo-tivations, les valeurs, les croyances, les styles cognitifs, mais aussi les traits de la personnalité. Sont ainsi citées les différentes dichotomies : silencieux/bavard, entreprenant/timide, optimiste/pessimiste, in-troverti/extraverti, pro actif/ré-actif, sens de la culpabilité ou pas, (absence de) peur ou embarras, rigide/souple, ouverture/étroi-tesse d’esprit, spontané/retenu, intelligent ou pas, soigneux/né-gligent, bonne mémoire ou pas, industrieux/paresseux, ambitieux ou pas, conscient de soi ou pas, confiant en soi ou pas, (in)dépen-dant, degré d’amour-propre. Si certains traits de personnalité mentionnés ici sont facilement observables, d’autres sont au contraire difficiles à cerner, et seul l’apprenant lui-même pourrait les partager s’il en avait la volonté et s’il était incité à le faire. Il faudrait alors retrouver chez les adolescents cette capacité des enfants à parler de soi sans honte, à s’ouvrir à la classe aisément, tout en réalisant les acti-vités langagières nécessaires au bon développement des compétences spécifiques de communication.à perdre leur envie de partager leurs histoires, leurs valeurs et leurs convictions devant la classe. Ce phénomène est peut-être dû à l’évolution même des jeunes apprenants, qui prennent petit à petit conscience du jugement de l’autre et sont de plus en plus sensibles à leur image sociale. Cela pourrait également être le fruit des différents systèmes éducatifs qui sé-parent, à partir d’un certain âge, les compétences liées au savoir-être et au savoir-faire interculturel (souvent cantonnées aux attitudes comme le respect de la différence, et toujours moins valorisées ou absentes des systèmes d’évaluation) et les com-pétences spécifiques liées aux conte-nus d’apprentissage, quelle que soit la matière enseignée. Seulement, pour pouvoir suivre les (très) discrètes orientations du Cadre Européen Commun de Réfé-rence pour les Langues sur le sujet, l’utilisateur-enseignant est censé promouvoir des caractéristiques personnelles concrètes que les ap-prenants ont besoin de développer ou dont ils doivent disposer pour mener à bien des actes de communication...pour continuer à lire cet article, abonnez-vous à la revue Le français dans le monde...http://fdlm.org
Get ready to dance through the summer with Films on the Green, New York City’s free French film festival! Our 15th edition is bringing French and international cinema to Manhattan and Brooklyn’s parks from June 2 to September 8. This year’s festival celebrates the art of dance in film with a lineup of 12 stunning features that highlight the beauty, rhythm, and emotion of dance.
Whether you’re a dance enthusiast or simply love a great film, there’s something for everyone in our captivating selection. So, put on your dancing shoes and join us for a mesmerizing cinematic journey through the world of dance in our beautiful New York City parks!
#FilmsOnTheGreen
FESTIVAL LINE-UP
Free and open to the public (no ticket needed). All films are shown with English subtitles. Screenings at sunset.
Friday June 2 | Central Park THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort) by Jacques Demy
With Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Dal
In the picturesque port town of Rochefort, the spirited Garnier twins, Delphine and Solange, share a strong bond and similar aspirations, despite their contrasting looks. Delphine, the celestial blonde, is a ballet teacher and dancer, while Solange, the fiery redhead, is a singer and composer. Together, they light up the town, imparting music and dance lessons with dreams of finding true love and pursuing their passions in the magical city of Paris.
Friday June 9 | Washington Square Park THE TANGO LESSON (La Leçon de tango) directed by Sally Potter
With Sally Potter, Pablo Verón, Carlos Copello, Carolina Lotti
Dissatisfied with her latest Hollywood screenplay, filmmaker Sally finds solace in tango lessons with Pablo, an Argentinean dancer living in Paris. As their relationship deepens, they strike a deal: if he teaches her to tango, she will make him a movie star. As they work together to make a movie in Buenos Aires, they confront the complexities of their love and conflicting desires. Presented in partnership with The Consulate General of Argentina in New York, Cinema Tropical, and the Washington Square Park Conservancy.
Friday June 16 | Washington Square Park HEARTBREAKER (L’Arnacœur) directed by Pascal Chaumeil With Vanessa Paradis, Romain Duris, Andrew Lincoln
Alex is a professional heartbreaker, but when he is hired to break the engagement between heiress Juliette and the man of her dreams, he finds himself facing his toughest challenge yet. With only ten days to succeed, Alex must use all his skills to accomplish his assignment, even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone. Inspired by the iconic film “Dirty Dancing,” he learns to dance like Patrick Swayze and uses all his charms and wit to break down Juliette’s defense and win her heart. Presented in partnership with the Washington Square Park Conservancy.
Friday June 23 | Transmitter Park, Brooklyn
LA FEMME ET LE PANTIN directed by Julien Duvivier
With Brigitte Bardot, António Vilar, Michel Roux, Darío Moreno
At the traditional Seville feria, Eva dances the fandango and captures the attention of the wealthy and powerful Matteo Diaz, a bull breeder who finds it difficult to resist her charms. As their passions intertwine, Eva toys with Matteo’s affections, challenging his self-esteem and leading him on a quest to win her heart. Presented in partnership with The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance.
Friday June 30 | Tompkins Square Park
THREE NIGHTS A WEEK (Trois nuits par semaine) directed by Florent Gouëlou
With Pablo Pauly, Romain Eck, Hafsia Herzi Baptiste’s world is turned upside down when he meets the enigmatic drag queen, Cookie Kunty, and falls headfirst into the dazzling and vibrant world of drag. Initially drawn in by a photography project, he finds himself completely immersed in this new Parisian scene, leading to a passionate and tumultuous relationship with Quentin, the man behind the captivating persona.
Friday July 7 | Seward Park
CASABLANCA BEATS (Haut et fort) directed by Nabil Ayouch
With Anas Basbousi, Ismail Adouab, Nouhaila Arif, Zineb Boujemaa Anas, a former rapper, is hired to teach hip hop at a cultural center in an underprivileged neighborhood of Casablanca. Amidst the challenges of restrictive traditions and issues of identity, religion, and politics, Anas manages to inspire his students, fostering unity and self-expression through the transformative power of hip hop culture. Presented in partnership with the Seward Park Conservancy.
Wednesday, July 12 | J. Hood Wright Park
NENEH SUPERSTAR directed by Ramzi Ben Sliman
With Oumy Bruni Garrel, Aïssa Maïga, Maiwenn, Steve Tientcheu At just twelve years old, Neneh is destined to dance and earns a coveted spot at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. Fueled by passion and determination, she must work twice as hard to overcome her challenging circumstances and earn the approval of the school’s director, Marianne Belage. Guarding a secret that connects her to Neneh, Marianne is put in a difficult position and becomes an unwavering protector of the school’s long-held traditions, leading Neneh to question whether she must choose between her dreams and her identity.
Friday July 14 | Seward Park
FRENCH CANCAN directed by Jean Renoir
With Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul, María Félix
Set in the vibrant Belle Epoque, live entertainment entrepreneur Henri Danglard undertakes the renovation of a historic Parisian cabaret, the Moulin Rouge. Betting on the revival of the cancan dance, he turns young washerwoman Nini into a star dancer. Along the way, Danglard confronts the jealousy of his lover Lola, the fickleness of his sponsors, and the fierce competition of the Montmartre scene. Presented in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute in New York, and the Seward Park Conservancy.
Friday July 21 | Riverside Park, Pier I
POLINA (Polina, danser sa vie) directed by Valérie Müller & Angelin Preljocaj
With Anastasia Shevtsova, Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider, Jérémie Bélingard As a promising classical ballet dancer, Polina is on the verge of joining the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet when she discovers contemporary dance, a revelation that upends her plans. Choosing a new path, she leaves Russia to move to France. Under the guidance of renowned choreographer Liria Elsaj, Polina grapples with finding her artistic voice and forging a new life in the world of dance. Presented in partnership with Summer on the Hudson.
Friday July 28 | Riverside Park Pier I NHA FALA (My Voice) directed by Flora Gomes (courtesy of Institut français)
With Fatou N’Diaye, Jean-Christophe Dollé, Angelo Torres, Naka Ramiro
In Cabo Verde, singing and dancing is at the heart of social life, but young Vita is forbidden to sing due to an ancestral family curse. During her time in Paris, she meets Pierre, a musician who uncovers her beautiful voice and persuades her to record a song. Terrified of the consequences, Vita returns home to confront her fears and face tradition. Presented in partnership with the African Film Festival, and Summer on the Hudson.
Wednesday, September 6 | Columbia University DANCING THE TWIST IN BAMAKO (Twist à Bamako) directed by Robert Guédiguian
With Stéphane Bak, Alicia Da Luz Gomes, Saabo Balde, Bakary Diombera
In 1960s Mali, the youth of Bamako embrace the twist dance and rock and roll imported from the West as they dream of political change. Amidst this atmosphere of hope, young socialist Samba encounters the spirited Lara during a political mission to the bush. As their love story unfolds, they face the challenges of revolution and strive to achieve their dreams for a brighter future. Presented in partnership with the Columbia Maison Francaise.
Friday, September 8 | McGolrick Park, Brooklyn LEAP! (Ballerina) directed by Eric Summer & Eric Warin
Félicie, a spirited orphan from Brittany, yearns to dance her way to stardom at the prestigious Paris Opera, and with her inventive friend Victor, they hatch a daring plan to escape their orphanage and head for Paris. In the bustling and vibrant city, with the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance, Félicie discovers the transformative power of dance, and with determination and resilience, she learns to overcome the odds and pursue her passion. Presented in partnership with The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, PS110 The Monitor School, and the Quebec Government Office in New York.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
FILMS ON THE GREEN is a free French film festival in New York City parks produced by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy, NYC Parks and FACE Foundation.
Starring Virginie Efira (Elle, Sibyl, Benedetta), Roschdy Zem and Chiara Mastroianni
Opens on Friday, April 21 in New York (Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Film Center) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Royal) followed by a national expansion
Official Selection:
2023 Sundance Film Festival
2023 Lincoln Center’s Rendez Vous with French Cinema
2022 Venice Film Festival
2022 Toronto International Film Festival
Music Box Films is pleased to announce the April 21 US theatrical release of OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN, the deeply moving portrait of a woman, written and directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, starring beloved actress Virginie Efira (Benedetta,Elle, Sibyl).Selected at numerous film festivals including Venice, Sundance and Toronto, OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN will open exclusively in theaters on Friday, April 21 in New York (Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Film Center) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Royal) followed by a national expansion.
In her latest film, acclaimed French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski (Grand Central, Planetarium, An Easy Girl) draws from her own life to depict the emotional trajectory of Rachel (Virginie Efira), a schoolteacher whose desire for a biological child seems increasingly unlikely to be fulfilled (as she’s informed by her gynecologist in a delightful cameo from director Frederick Wiseman). When Rachel starts a relationship with car designer Ali (Roschdy Zem), he’s slow to let her know that he’s a single father, but once she finds out, she quickly grows to love his precocious daughter, Leila (Callie Ferreira-Goncalves). The stresses and strains of close relationships between adults and children are thoughtfully examined in a drama that’s as romantic in its evocation of new love blossoming in Paris as it is clear-headed about the myriad pressures that societal expectations impose on the lives of middle-aged women, with echoes of Paul Mazursky’s An Unmarried Woman.
Zlotowski is a graduate of the prestigious Paris film school FEMIS and the Ecole Normale Supérieure. A former French literature academic, she went on to write and direct Dear Prudence (Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize Nominee, winner of Prix Louis Delluc for Best First Film,) Grand Central (Cannes Official Selection), Planetarium, with Natalie Portman (Venice Film Festival), and An Easy Girl (SACD Award, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight).OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDRENis her fifth feature film.
“Bittersweet and beautifully observed” - Guy Lodge, Variety
“Efira does her best work yet” - Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter
"Efira, last seen by most audiences in Benedetta, gives another wondrous performance…The Belgian actor keeps the film together, grounding it with real emotional stakes” - Michael Frank, The Filmstage
(Swimming Pool, Under the Sand, 8 Women, In the House, Frantz, By the Grace of God, Summer of 85, Peter von Kant)
Opens in New York on Friday, April 14 (Quad Cinema) and Los Angeles on Friday, April 21 (Laemmle’s Royal and Town Center)
followed by a national expansion
Starring Sophie Marceau (La Boum,Braveheart, Beyond the Clouds), André Dussolier (Same Old Song, Wild Grass,) Charlotte Rampling (Under the Sand, Swimming Pool, Benedetta, 45 Years,) Géraldine Pailhas (Young and Beautiful, Five Times Two) and Hanna Schygulla (The Marriage of Maria Braun, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Peter von Kant)
**Official Selection: Cannes International Film Festival**
Cohen Media Group is pleased to announce that acclaimed French director François Ozon’s drama EVERYTHING WENT FINE will be released theatrically in NY on Friday, April 14 (Quad Cinema) and LA on April 21 (Laemmle’s Royal and Town Center) followed by a national expansion.
Based on the autobiographical novel by author Emmanuèle Bernheim (who had collaborated on Ozon’s screenplays for Under The Sand, Swimming Pool and Ricky), EVERYTHING WENT FINEis a dramatic change of pace for the genre-hopping director. After a debilitating stroke, 85-year-old art collector André Bernheim (Alain Resnais regular André Dussolier) demands that his daughter Emmanuèle (SophieMarceau, beloved by French audiences since her teenage debut in the 1980 hit La Boum), help him end life on his own terms. Faced with a painfuldecision, Emmanuèle, with the grudging support of her younger sister Pascale (Ozon regular Géraldine Pailhas), begins sorting through the processes and bureaucratic hurdles necessary to fulfill her father’s final wish, as she is forced to reconcile her past with a complicated, stubborn, yet charismatic man.
Unsentimental, devastating, yet often humorous, EVERYTHING WENT FINE finds writer-directorFrançois Ozon tackling a complex subjectwith intelligence and sensitivity. Featuring the legendary Charlotte Rampling (Ozon’s Under the Sand) as André’s estranged wife, along with cinema icon Hanna Schygulla (last seen in Ozon’s Peter von Kant) in a key cameo.
One of French cinema's most prolific filmmakers, François Ozon’s vast body of work includes Swimming Pool, 8 Women, By the Grace of God, Frantz, Double Lover, In the House, Potiche, Under the Sand, Peter von Kant and the upcoming The Crime is Mine.
New York’s Quad Cinema will host a week-long retrospective of François Ozon’s films, leading up to the opening of EVERYTHING WENT FINE. “An Ode to Ozon” (April 10-13) features six films from the director’s extensive filmography. Series highlights include 35mm prints of 8 Women and Swimming Pool as well as Cohen Media Group titles In the House, The New Girlfriend, and Double Lover.
“[EVERYTHING WENT FINE]’shonesty and intelligence keep you glued.” David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
“Affecting, surprisingly witty..... elegantly written, persuasively performed… a terrific Sophie Marceau and André Dussollier as father and daughter… Ozon’s smart, measured but still deeply human take on a hot subject” — Guy Lodge, Variety
When it comes to discovering French films and TV shows for children to enjoy, the sheer number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why each month, CinéSchool program manager and film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a carefully curated list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some of the films or series are purely for entertainment, others are designed to teach useful educational concepts, and some are even great for the whole family to enjoy together! This month, in honor of Earth Day and our beautiful planet, we are pleased to highlight a selection of French films and TV shows that celebrate nature and promote environmental awareness.
Mia and the Migoo (Mia et le Migou) Directed by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, 2008, 1h31, PG, recommended for ages 6+
Mia sets out on a cross continent journey, though mountains and jungles in search of her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient Tree of Life, watched over by innocent, bumbling forest spirits called the Migoo. The Migoo have been disrupting the construction to protect this sacred site – and now together with Mia they join in a fight to find Mia’s father and save the Tree, with the future of life on Earth hanging in the balance.
Amazonia Directed by Thierry Ragobert, 2013, France-Brazil, 1h26, PG, recommended for ages 8+
Amazonia is an adventure inside the largest rainforest on the planet: the Amazon rainforest. Chestnut is a Capuchin monkey domesticated who survives a plane crash and finds himself alone in the dense forest. The monkey needs to learn to live in freedom, in a new world where animals of all kinds: Jaguars, alligators, snakes, tapirs, hawks. Gradually, Brown learns to live in the forest, making new friends, especially the monkey Gaia, their fellow species.
Canot Cocasse TV series, France-Canada, recommended for ages 5+
Nico, Julie and Pam are on vacation at 'Camp Manitou.' A magic canoe transports them in extraordinary adventures. Through their travels, the explorers discover a thousands things about nature and the universe.
Tomorrow (Demain) Directed by Mélanie Laurent and Cyril Dion, 2015, 1h58, France, documentary, PG, recommended for ages 12+
What if telling a story that gives hope by pointing out solutions was the best way to solve the ecological, economical and social crises that shake our world? Following the publication of a study forecasting the possible extinction of mankind by 2100, Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent travelled through 10 countries to understand the reasons for this upcoming catastrophe and to find out how to prevent it. During their journey, they met pioneers who are reinventing agriculture, energy, economy, democracy and education. By pulling together these positive, concrete and tested initiatives, they begin to see what could be the world of tomorrow…
Song of the Sea (Le Chant de la mer) Directed by Tomm Moore, 2014, 1h33, PG, Ireland-France-Belgium, recommended for ages 7+
Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.
Fire of Love Directed by Sara Dosa, 2022, 1h38, USA-Canada, documentary, PG, recommended for ages 14+
Katia and Maurice Krafft loved two things — each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the daring French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. Ultimately, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion, leaving a legacy that forever enriched our knowledge of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team fashion a lyrical celebration of the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive.
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs) Directed byGeorge Gordon, Bob Hathcock, Carl Urbano, Rudy Zamor, 1981, France-Belgium, animated TV series, recommended for ages 5+
In all there are 102 Smurfs, living in mushrooms that grow in a forest. Particularly fond of sarsaparilla, they all look deceptively alike but each has its own character! Their enemies? The wizard Gargamel and his ginger cat Azrael, who would dearly love to add them to their menu... Based on the books by Peyo.
White Mane (Crin Blanc, le Cheval Sauvage) Directed by Albert Lamorisse, 1952, France, 47 minutes, recommended for ages 6+
In the south of France, in a vast plain region called the Camargue, lives White Mane, a magnificent stallion and the leader of a herd of wild horses too proud to let themselves be broken by humans. Only Folco, a young fisherman, manages to tame him. A strong friendship grows between the boy and the horse, as the two go looking for the freedom that the world of men won't allow them. Long unavailable in the U.S., this extraordinarily shot wonder from Albert Lamorisse, the director of The Red Balloon, is a work of technical sophistication and immense natural beauty.
The Jungle Bunch (Les As de la Jungle) Directed by David Alaux, 2017, 1h38, PG, recommended for ages 8+
Maurice may look like a penguin - but he's a real tiger inside! Raised by a tigress, he's the clumsiest kung-fu master ever. Along with his friends, The Jungle Bunch, he intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle, as his mother did before he. But Igor, an evil koala, wants to destroy the jungle once and for all—helped by his army of silly baboons.
Asterix at the Olympic Games (Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques) Directed by Thomas Langmann and Frédéric Forestier, 2008, 1h57, recommended for ages 10+
In their new adventures, Asterix and Obelix come to the aid of their friend Alafolix, who must fight Brutus, Cesar’s son, to win both the Olympic Games and the hand of beautiful Irina. But heinous Brutus is determined to beat the Gaul and take his father’s place.
The Painting (Le Tableau) Directed by Jean-François Laguionie, 2011, 1h16, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 10+
In this wryly inventive parable, a kingdom within a painting is divided into three castes: the impeccably colored Alldunns, the incomplete Halfies, and the barely outlined Sketchies who are treated as outcasts. Chastised for her forbidden love of the dashing Ramo, Claire runs away into the cursed forest. Ramo and his friends journey after her, crossing over the boundaries of the forest only to arrive at the very edge of the painting – where they tumble through the canvas and into the Painter’s studio. The abandoned workspace is strewn with paintings, each containing its own vividly animated world and characters – and in a feast for both the eyes and the imagination, Ramo, Lola, Quill and Magenta explore picture after picture, in a quest to discover just what the Painter has in mind for his creations.
Posted by Aimee Morris on February 14, 2023 at 3:50pm
Film Movement is pleased to announce that A RADIANT GIRL, beloved French actress Sandrine Kiberlain's highly personal directorial debut, a selection of the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics Week, will open exclusively in theaters in New York (Quad Cinema) on Friday, February 17th, 2023 followed by a national release.
Paris, summer 1942. Irene (Rebecca Marder, nominated for a 2023 César for Best Female Newcomer for her performance), is a vibrant 19-year-old aspiring actress without a care in the world. She is honing her passion for the theater, rehearsing for the entrance exam to the coveted Conservatory, making new friends and discovering love, without realizing that time is running out in Nazi-occupied France, as her close-knit family is watching.
In turns enchanting and devastating, Ms. Kiberlain’s drama, which she also wrote, is not a traditional Holocaust narrative, but a unique coming-of-age tale about the freedoms of youth amidst a changing world, anchored by a star-making performance by Ms. Marder "which more than delivers on the luminous promise of the English title" (Screen Daily). Partly inspired by Ms. Kiberlain’s own family story, the film shows the dangers of complacency in the face of fascism, as well as moments of beauty that are possible even under the hardest of circumstances.
One of France’s most prolific and versatile French stars, Sandrine Kiberlain came to prominence with her Most Promising Actress César-winning performance in Laetitia Masson’s To Have or Not, and has since worked with many of France’s top directors including Alain Resnais (Life of Riley), Jacques Audiard (A Self-Made Hero), Benoît Jacquot (Seventh Heaven), André Téchiné (Being 17), Claude Miller (Betty Fisher and Other Stories), Stéphane Brizé (Mademoiselle Chambon, Another World), Maïwen (Polisse) and Cédric Jimenez (November). She has received nine César nominations and won two César Awards. A RADIANT GIRL marks her feature debut as a writer-director.
Rebecca Marder is a former member of France’s legendary classical theater troupe La Comédie Française where she was admitted at the age of 20. Ms. Marder was selected for the César Academy’s annual "Revelations" list of rising stars leading up to the nomination. She will next be seen as one of the leads in François Ozon’s new film The Crime is Mine opposite Isabelle Huppert.
When asked for their favorite word or drawing since the site started in 2010, Sheppard cited "holy", noting that, as the illustrator, his favorite words are those with the best drawings. With this one, there was a debate over how to undertake it, because of the delicate nature of how people perceive and use the word.
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Bialystok's favorite part about writing the book was "putting it all together to tell a simple story. The book itself includes only a part of the research [she has done extensive studies on aging]; taking work I've done over decades and compressing it into a single story that's coherent.
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Posted by Aimee Morris on January 30, 2023 at 9:11am
Music Box Films is pleased to announce the US release of FULL TIME, writer-director Éric Gravel’s hyper kinetic drama unfolding over one week in the life of a divorced working mother in Paris. Featuring a thrilling performance by rising star Laure Calamy, FULLTIME won the Best Director and Best Actress awards at the Venice Film Festival (Horizons), was selected for MOMA and Film at Lincoln Center’s New Directors New Films series, and just received four César Award nominations for Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Original Score. FULL TIME will open exclusively in theaters on Friday, February 3rd in New York (Quad Cinema), followed by Los Angeles (Laemmle Royal) on Friday, February 10th and a national rollout.
Single mother Julie (Laure Calamy in her second nomination for a Best Actress César) works a grueling job as a head chambermaid in a five-star Parisian hotel. Julie’s daily balance of commuting from her remote suburb into Paris, tenuous childcare and search for a new job to get her out of debt, becomes unmanageable during a paralyzing transport strike in Paris. Literally running from dawn to sunset to get to her job and back home in time to fetch her children, Julie is constantly on the verge of a breakdown. When she finally gets a job interview for a position more suited to her skill set, Julie has to walk a very tightrope between keeping her current job, and sneaking out while calling on co-workers to cover for her as more obstacles pile up in front of her
With a pulsating score by César nominee Irène Drésel combined with handheld camera and masterful editing by César nominee Mathilde van de Moortel, FULL TIME propels the viewer from one scene to the next at lightning speed. Eric Gravel’s second directorial outing, from his own César nominated screenplay, puts him at the forefront of France’s most promising new directorial voices while confirming Laure Calamy as one of the most gifted French actresses of her generation.
"Éric Gravel’s 'Full Time' potently blends the social realism of the Dardenne brothers with the nerve-racking intensity of the Safdies’ 'Uncut Gems'.”- Film Comment, Vikram Murthi
“...a propulsively intense piece of filmmaking…” Screen International, Wendy Ide
This year's free, annual workshop for teachers of French, co-presented by the Columbia French Department and the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French, will feature presentations on the theme of "L'Exploration de questions culturelles et sociales à l'aide de supports audiovisuels. »
This conference will be in French. It is open to all who RSVP.
PROGRAMME 10:00 Introduced by Heidi Holst-Knudsen and moderated by Polly Duke 10:05-10:35 Laurence Marie: Nouvelles ressources sur Molière (à l'occasion de son 400e anniversaire) 10:35-11:05 Sophie Queuniet: Comprendre la nouvelle loi sur la bioéthique 10 minutes de pause 11:15-11:45 Wesley Gunter: Joséphine Baker : une Américaine au Panthéon 11:45-12:15 Pauline Guedj: La globalisation du hip hop en France : enjeux sociaux et culturels 15 minutes de pause 12:30-1:00 Pascale Crépon: Les enjeux de la restitution d’œuvres d’art 1:00-1:30 Pascale Hubert-Leibler: Le système éducatif français : l'avant et l'après de la réforme Blanquer
DO NOT MISS THIS REMARKABLE PROGRAM - VALUABLE FOR ALL - PARTICULARLY IF YOU TEACH AP OR PRE-AP FRENCH
I am announcing my first book has been published on Amazon entiled A Long Look Back:A Sentimental Journey of an American Growing up in France. Readers will find an interesting and easy read with an enjoyable portrayal of the author’s life in France as a young boy in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is a perspective that is often combined with beautiful family meals and always with delicious wines. My passion and deep love for France is made undeniably clear. .Readers will be signing on to an entertaining, oftentimes humorous, sentimental journey set first in a small village along the rugged and beautiful Emerald Coast of Brittany in the western part of France then we speed up (of course) to Paris and Neuilly s/Seine, where the story really first started. I describe family life In Neuilly s/S, going to school in the 16th, I talk about landmarks that are familiar to expats such as the American Hospital in Neuilly. the beautiful American Cathedras on Av. George V, sailing frigattes in the Jardin du Luxenbourg and many others. Then I conclude with a collections of unique travel and food experiences as I meanders down from Lyon (culinary ground-zero for France) and evntually reaching the Côte d’Azur. A separate section is devoted to a selection of a few persnal and delicious, traditional French recipes à la cuisine de grand-mère,” because how can one talk or write about France without fully appreciating and immersing oneself, in its cuisine. A Long, Look Back is an undeniably wonderful, warm-hearted, tender journey into a France of yesteryear. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQGJ6YNQ. in paperback, 320 pages.
Posted by Aimee Morris on January 6, 2023 at 12:06pm
Greenwich Entertainment is pleased to announce that Philippe Le Gay’s taut psychological French thriller based on a true story, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT, will open in New York at The Quad Cinema on Friday, January 27 (Holocaust International Remembrance Day) followed by Los Angeles and a national expansion.
A benign real estate deal becomes a sinister standoff between a young Parisian French couple (Jérémie Renier and Academy Award nominee Bérénice Bejo) and a dangerous negationist. Simon Sandberg, a Jewish Parisian architect (Renier) sells his flat’s unused cellar to a seemingly normal and well-mannered former history teacher, Jacques Fonzic (The Untouchables’ François Cluzet). But when Fonzic takes up residence in the cellar, the stranger’s secret life emerges. Slowly and methodically, his far-right, radicalized beliefs about Judaism and conspiracy theories ensnare Simon’s very existence, driving him to more and more desperate strategies to evict the man.
What ensues is a riveting cat-and-mouse game between Fonzic and Sandberg as the increasingly menacing buyer insinuates himself with their naive teenage daughter, turning the family’s idyllic world upside down. Impeccable acting and a nightmare scenario drive this tense and gripping thriller, based on a true story, to its logical and frightening conclusion.
Directed by Philippe Le Guay. Written by Philippe Le Guay, Gilles Taurand, Marc Weitzmann. Cinematography by Guillaume Deffontaines. Music by Bruno Coulais. Produced by Anne-Dominique Toussaint. A Greenwich Entertainment release.
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
MyFrenchFilmFestival (From January 13 to February 13, 2023)
MyFrenchFilmFestival is a worldwide French film festival presented by Unifrance whose goal is to shine a spotlight on a new generation of French-language filmmakers.
Selection will be announced on January 5, 2023.
Available online here and on several US platforms/channels.
Zou
Directed byOlivier Lelardoux, animated TV series, recommended for ages 3+
Zou, a little five-year-old zebra, lives in a town inhabited only by zebras. He and his extended family live in a large house right next door to his best friend, Elzee. He is an imaginative and inquisitive foal, and he’s now old enough to start becoming his own person!
Directed by Nicolas Bary, 2008, 2h13, recommended for ages 13+
Welcome to Timpetill, a small, serene village. Well, not really that serene… Indeed, for several weeks, the children have been playing multiple practical jokes and nasty tricks. The victims are, of course, other children… but also, and most of all, the parents. Overwrought, they decide to leave the village for what they think will only be one day. But nothing happens as planned: on the way back, they are taken prisoner by a group of soldiers. In Timpetill, the news of a village without parents makes Oscar and his gang of thugs happy! But that isn’t the case of a few daredevils who decide to side with Manfred and Marianne to regain control of the village.
animated TV series, 2008-2017, 3 seasons, recommended for ages 9+
In a fantasy world, a mysterious figure leaves a baby boy with a retired bounty hunter in a small village with instructions to raise him until the time is right for him to find his biological family. Years later, that boy named Yugo discovers he has powerful magic abilities using the power of Wakfu even as his village is threatened.
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
If you like this series, you should like also this special series: Wakfu: The Quest for the Six Eliatrope Dofus Animated TV series, 2014, 1 season, recommended for ages 9+
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
Terra Willy: Unexplored Planet (Terra Willy, planète inconnue)
By Eric Tosti, 2019, 1h30, PG, recommended for ages 7+
Following the destruction of their ship, the young Willy is separated from his parents with whom he traveled in space. His spare capsule lands on a wild and unexplored planet. With the help of Buck, a survival robot, he will have to hold until the arrival of a rescue mission.
Weekend Family (Week-End Family) Created by Baptiste Filleul, 2022, season 1, TV-PG, recommended for ages 8+
Every weekend, Fred takes care of his girls Clara (15), Victoire (12), and Romy (9). Each has a different mother with whom she lives during the week. A new stepmother joins in this happy mix when Fred falls madly in love with Emma, a Canadian doctoral student in child psychology.
Available on Disney+ (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
