A Guide To The 13th French Film Festival

by Philbert Ortiz Dy

posted on Tuesday June 10, 2008

Sacré bleu! The Alliance Français du Manille is once again holding its annual French Film Festival at the Shangri-La plaza, starting June 11. Here’s a quick look at some of the films that the festival is featuring.

FEATURED FILMMAKER: EMMANUEL MOURET

Un baiser s’il vous plait (Shall We Kiss, or A Kiss, Please)

Written and directed by Emmanuel Mouret
Synopsis: A story about how a seemingly simple and harmless kiss can have unforeseen consequences.


Changement d’adresse (Change of Address)

Written and directed by Emmanuel Mouret
Synopsis: A shy, awkward musician moves to Paris for the first time. He falls in love with his young student, all the while finding a encouragement from his passionate roommate, Anne.

Why you should see them: Emmanuel Mouret is becoming a real star in French cinema. He’s been described as the new, French Woody Allen. Like Allen, he writes, directs and stars in his own films, which are often about a funny, socially awkward person trying to deal with the little quirks of love and relationships. His films have a pretty simple aesthetic, concentrating on the strength of dialogue and story rather than artistic gimmickry. Un baiser s’il vous plait is interesting for a rather well done story-within-a-story conceit. Changement d’adresse is sharp and terribly funny, and Francophiles will really appreciate some clever tricks of language.

Screenings: (Un baiser s’il vous plait) June 11, 7:30 P.M.
Screenings: (Changement d’adresse) June 12, 12 NN. June 13, 8 P.M. June 15, 8 P.M June 16, 5:30 P.M. June 17, 3 P.M. June 18, 5:30 P.M. June 20, 12:30 P.M.

THE FILIPINO CONTINGENT

Serbis
Directed by Brillante Mendoza, Written by Armando Lao and Boots Agbayani Pastor
Synopsis: The Pineda family operates and resides in a run down theater in the province that shows sexy double features. We follow the family as they deal with each other’s sins and vices.

Now Showing
Written and directed by Raya Martin
Synopsis: A young girl completely immersed in popular entertainment tends to her aunt’s pirated DVD stand, all the while dealing with a mother hungry for her affection, a sexually frustrated boyfriend, and a missing father who she can barely remember.

Why you should see them: There really doesn’t need to be much reason other than these two are Filipino films, and we should support our local filmmakers. But there’s more to it than that, of course. Serbis was in competition at Cannes, and got praise from this year’s jury chairman, Sean Penn. It’s a pretty brave film, one that doesn’t make any compromises. A wider theatrical release is impending, but this might be the best chance to see it as a whole. Now Showing was featured in the Director’s Fortnight, where the likes of Werner Herzog, Martin Scorsese, and Jim Jarmusch were introduced to the world. At 4 hours and 40 minutes, it will certainly test the patience of many moviegoers, but Raya Martin has incredible vision, and his films always end up affecting audiences.

Screenings: (Serbis) June 12, 4:30 P.M.
Screenings: (Now Showing) June 12, 7 P.M.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

La Môme (La Vie En Rose)

Directed by Olivier Dahan, written by Olivier Dahan and Isabelle Sobelman
Synopsis: The triumphs and tragedies of the “Little Sparrow,” singer Edith Piaf.
Why you should see it: Marion Cotillard. It doesn’t really get much simpler than that. This was one of the best performances of last year, and Cotillard got an academy award for it. Personally, I don’t think the film is as good as may people say it is, but Cotillard’s performance alone makes up for any of the film’s weaknesses. As Piaf, she is endlessly compelling, a picture of living tragedy and a bottomless well of heartbreaking grief. It’s terribly moving stuff.

Screenings: June 22, 8 P.M.

MOST MUSICAL

Chansons d’amour (Love Songs)

Written and directed by Christophe Honoré
Synopsis: Ismael is in a three-way relationship with Alice and Julie. There are many complications in their relationship, but they seem to be getting by. But when tragedy strikes, Ismael is left to explore his own passions.
Why you should see it: Chansons d’amour is going to be an easy crowd pleaser in this year’s festival. A cast of gorgeous young people sings songs in a pop style, exploring the complexities of love and relationships in a very modern world. Louis Garrel is a name that girls will probably remember after watching this film. Honoré also happens to be a pretty good filmmaker with a knack for pretty striking images. The Jacques Demy influence is pretty obvious, and much appreciated.

Screenings: June 20, 5:50 P.M. June 21 5:30 P.M. June 22, 12:30 P.M.

UNDERAPPRECIATED GEM

Clean

Written and directed by Olivier Assayas
Synopsis: Emily is married to Lee Hauser, a rock star. Together, they lead a decadent life filled with drugs. When Lee suddenly dies, Emily is sent to jail. She has to get her life back together and reconnect with her son, all the while dealing with her demons.
Why you should see it: Clean hasn’t been seen by a lot of people, but it’s a pretty good film. First of all, it stars Maggie Cheung, in a fantastically brave trilingual performance. Cheung is probably already one of the greatest actresses to have come out of Asia, and this movie only serves to reinforce that idea. The story isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but Assayas has enough talent to keep you interested anyway.

Screenings: June 13, 12:30 P.M. June 14, 3 P.M. June 15, 5:30 P.M. June 17, 12:30 P.M. June 22, 5:30 P.M.

THE BEST OF THE REST

BEST FOR A MIDLIFE CRISIS: Qui m’aime me suive (If You Love Me, Follow Me)
Screenings: June 13, 3 P.M., June 14 5:30 P.M. June 15, 3 P.M. June 19, 5:30 P.M. June 20, 3 P.M.

FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A THRILLER: Roman de Gare (Crossed Tracks)
Screenings: June 17, 5:30 P.M. June 21, 12:30 P.M.




FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE MORE MARION COTILLARD, BUT IN A LESS TRAGIC LIGHT: Ma vie en l’air(Love is in The Air)
Screenings: June 13, 5:30 P.M. June 15, 3 P.M. June 18, 5:30 P.M. June 19, 8 P.M. June 21, 3 P.M.

FOR EASY LAUGHS: Ah! Si j’étais riche! (If I Were a Rich Man)
Screenings: June 14, 12:30 P.M. June 15, 12:30 P.M. June 16, 8 P.M. June 18, 8 P.M. June 19, 3 P.M. June 22, 3 P.M.

BEST FOR CONTROL FREAKS (AS THERAPY): Je crois que je l’aime (Could This Be Love?)
Screenings: June 12, 2 P.M. June 14, 8 P.M. June 16, 12:30 P.M. June 20, 8 P.M. June 21, 8 P.M.

The 13th French Film Festival runs from June 11 to 22, 2008 at the Shang Cineplex of Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City

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Does anyone know the ticket price? I am definitely watching!