Continuing a wonderful ticket-winning spree, I was lucky enough to get a double pass to the opening of the French Film Festival on Wednesday night, thanks to Rialto Newmarket.
The premiere film was Korkoro. If unlike me, you actually have a command of French and don't recognise that word, don't worry, it's actually Romany. The film's French title is Liberté, and for the English speaking audience, that's Freedom.
Whilst this film wasn't on my "to see" list, who turns down the opportunity for free drinks and nibbles (thanks to one of the sponsors, Tefal), and a screening of a French Film that hasn't yet had its general release in France?! I dragged along a friend, and we enjoyed said nibbles and beverages, and the little goodie bags from the sponsors - thanks for the lip gloss, L'Oreal! And, of course, we enjoyed the film.
Based on true stories, and set in 1943 France, we meet a band of gypsies, who the war-time law decrees may no longer roam, followed by an orphaned boy, as well as the caring staff of the Town Hall, and the less than receptive members of the wider community.
This is not a film with a happy ending (remember this is Vichy France), but there are certainly triumphant moments, and wonderfully vibrant characters. There is music, and joy, as well as the dilemma that is the need to settle to be free, where previously freedom has meant movement, and the small ways we can fight back against injustice. I particularly enjoyed the performance of James Thiérrée, as Taloche.
If you're in Auckland, and didn't make the opening of the festival, or last night's sold out session of Korkoro, then you've missed out for now. If you're in Wellington or Christchurch, you still have a chance, and I really do think you should take it!
The film I did want to see stars Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger (who you will probably remember from those awful National Treasure movies, but don't judge her on those).
Anything For Her, or Pour Elle, is at its heart a love story, but in reality if really a prison-break drama. This made it much more palatable for this essentially single girl to see on Valentine's Day!
What would you do if the one you loved was imprisoned wrongfully, and all legal channels failed you? For Julien Auclert, the answer is everything he can. Anything For Her is like a believable Prison Break, but with characters you might actually care about.
You've still got an opporutnity to catch this film at all three of the centres hosting the film festival this week. And if you're a Vincent Lindon fan, you can also see him in the more recent, and rather different, Mademoiselle Chambon. I'm still thinking about that one!
Of course, the film festival features 18 films, so there's a really good chance that there's the perfect film for you.
Get all the information you need about the French Film Festival from their official site. If you're in Auckland, check out Rialto Newmarket! The festival runs until the 28th, but if you miss out of films, I'm sure you'll be able to find them on DVD.
I forgot to mention the popcorn! As much delicious food as there was, I was very relieved when my plus one mentioned popcorn before we were about to go in the cinema after enjoying the pre-movie nibbles. You see, nobody else had popcorn. Did we dare pop out and get some, and perhaps an ice-cream, as we were surrounded by all the pastry and wine glasses? Yes, we did! What's a movie without the usual creature comforts? :-)
Posted by: Sarah | 02/14/2010 at 04:12 PM