March 2013 - Francophonie in the spotlight
We are celebrating the Francophonie this month, which is a world organization bringing together all the French speaking countries or regions, such as Belgium, Quebec and most of the West African countries. Come and enjoy the diversity of those cultures through our selection of films from different Francophone regions of the world.
Tuesday 5th
Les Invasions Barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) - QUEBEC
Synopsis : This Academy Award film revolves around the character Rémy's battle with terminal cancer, and the efforts of Sébastien, his estranged son to make his dying father more comfortable in his last days. He has not seen him in a while and brings with him old friends : what did they all become at a time of ''barbarian invasions" ?
'An amazing movie with laughter and tears' Le Figaro
Written and directed by Denys Arcand, from Quebec
Released in 2003
Won an Academy Award for best Foreign Language Film
Starring Rémy Girard, Stéphane Rousseau & Dorothée Berryman
99 min. | In French with English subtitles
Click on the picture to see the trailer !
Tuesday 12th
Un homme qui crie (A screaming man) - CHAD
Synopsis : Adam, a former central African swimming champion, is the security guard at the swimming pool of an expensive hotel. As conflict looms, he is demoted to the post of gate security guard, his son Abdel taking his former job at the pool. The local chief pressures Adam into supporting Chad's fight against rebel forces, chastising him for not attending a cause meeting.
'A Screaming Man is a quiet film about family life, the relationship between fathers and children, and the way generations can shape and reshape each other. It ultimately has a sublime quality' The Observer
Written and directed by Mahamat Saleh Harou, from Chad
Released in 2010
Won the Prix du Jury at Cannes Festival
Starring Youssouf Djaoro, Dioucounda Koma & Emile Abossolo M'bo
92 min. | In French and Arab with English subtitles
Click on the picture to see the trailer !
Tuesday 19th
Le gamin au vélo (The Kid with a Bike) - BELGIUM
Synopsis : Cyril's dad doesn't care about his son, and Samantha , who works in a beauty shop, offers to take Cyril on weekends so he can have some kind of a home life. But her determined compassion makes only so much of an impact on the youngster, who is still convinced he can find his father...
'You want a simple, moving tale, beautifully told? Bring on the Belgians.' The Independant
Written and directed by Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, from Belgium
Released in 2011
Won the Grand Prix at Cannes Festival
Starring Cécile de France, Thomas Doret & Jérémie Renier
87 min. | In French and with English subtitles
Click on the picture to see the trailer !
Tuesday 26th
Bamako - MALI
Synopsis : Bamako, capital of Mali. Melé is a bar singer, her husband Chaka is out of work and the couple is on the verge of breaking up... In the courtyard of the house they share with other families, a trial court has been set up. African civil society spokesmen have taken proceedings against the World Bank and the IMF whom they blame for Africa's woes...
"Complex, unconventional and often cuttingly satirical, this is a challenging, fascinating and deeply disconcerting experience." The Radio Times
Written and directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, from Mauritania
Released in 2006
Starring Aïssa Maïga, Tiécoura Traoré & Maimouna Hélène Diarra
115 min. | In French and with English subtitles
Click on the picture to see the trailer !