LATEST movies? Post-rock and electronic music outfits? Culinary events? Yes, and then some, French style!
Malaysia’s longest-running foreign cultural festival, Le French Festival, is back for its 17th edition beginning on April 12.
From films to music and food as well, there’s something for everyone in the festival’s 16 offerings.
For music fans, French post-rock trio Lysistrata should thrill as it is set to perform at The Bee, Publika on April 28, in a first-in-Asia live concert.
Formed in 2013, Theo (guitar, vocals), Max (bass, vocals) and Ben (drums, vocals), have built a following in Europe with their energised sound.
Another young artiste is Romea, a solo French electro-pop artist based in Cambodia.
She creates a personal electro music inspired by hip-hop, lo-fi and R&B using analogue synths, spoken samples in French and sung parts in English.
Her act is due April 20 at Pisco Bar.
During a recent Press conference for the festival in Kuala Lumpur, French ambassador Frederic Laplanche said the selection for film and other events was current and represented the bright young talents taking over France.
FRESH VISUAL SPECTACLE
Local actress Siti Saleha, who attended the event at GSC MidValley, just before Ce Qui Nous Lie (Back To Burgundy) was screened, said she learnt her craft from watching French films.
Ce Qui Nous Lie, directed by Cedric Klapisch, is a family drama that revolves around the wine-making traditions of the province.
And just like wine, the film needs time to mature into a sweet love story, as well as a cinematic milestone for women entrepreneurs as the only daughter Juliette (Ana Girardot) turns out to have inherited the vintner’s legacy, compared to her siblings, Jean (Pio Marmai) and youngest brother, Jeremie (Francois Civil).
It’s a warm, fuzzy watch.
The other movies include Rock ‘N’ Roll, which stars Marion Cotillard, that features cameos by French stars, including the late Johnny Hallyday.
Omar Sy, of The Intouchables fame, is back in the comedy, Demain Tout Commence (Two Is A Family), which is about a bachelor who gets lumped with a daughter he didn’t know he had.
Directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano offer the uproarious comedy C’est La Vie! (Le Sens De La Fete), which stars Jean-Pierre Bacri, Jean-Paul Rouve and Gilles Lellouche.
The 2017 film sees Max a seasoned event organiser whose latest project — setting up an unforgettable wedding in a 17th century castle — is unexpectedly going awry due to a series of unfortunate events.
Animation movies buffs will like Le Grand Mechant Renard Et Autres Contes (The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales).
It’s three stories set on a farm, where a fox thinks it's a chicken, a rabbit acts like a stork and a duck that wants to replace Father Christmas.
The movie won the 2018 Cesar and Lumiere awards for Best Animated Film.
The biopic of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt should draw music lovers.
The movie is set at the peak of his art in German-occupied Paris in 1943, and tells of his life when the Nazi propaganda machine wants to send him on tour to Berlin.
Reda Kateb (Zero Dark Thirty) dazzles us in this life of a musician who influenced several generations of artistes.
Dance enthusiasts will like Polina, based on the graphic novel by Bastien Vives. The 2016 film focuses on a dancer’s life, with beautifully shot dance scenes.
TRAVELLING FEST
The French Film Festival 2018 will run from April 12 to 29 in Klang Valley at GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley Megamall and GSC 1 Utama. It then heads to GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang from May 3 to 13, and on to GSC Paradigm Mall, Johor Baru, from May 10 to 13.
It completes its run at GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, from May 17 to 20.
All films are screened with English subtitles.
Get your tickets now at www.gsc.com.my, which also shows the film schedules.
For more information on Le French Festival, visit www.lefrenchfestival.com.my.
NST-GSC COMPLIMENTARY PASSES GIVEAWAY
GET your French on! GSC is giving away 100 French Film Festival 2018 complimentary passes to NST readers.
The free passes will be valid for all movies during the festival except for the limited screening movies C’est La Vie and Big Bad Fox & Other Tales.
Just present an actual copy or a snapshot of this NST article on the French Film Festival to redeem a pair of complimentary passes at GSC Mid Valley’s e-Payment Collection Counter in Kuala Lumpur today from 11am.
Only two tickets per cut out or visual and on a first come, first served basis, while stocks last.
Final say is at the discretion of GSC. Hurry now!