I Love French Movies

Shakespeare and Company founder George Whitman has died at the age of 98, in the apartment above his bookstore. The eulogies are likely to continue for many years, for in his long illustrious life George has helped countless writers in immeasurable ways. I’ve often wondered how many good, pleasurable books are in existence because of George’s generosity.

I received an email with an invitation to attend the In French with English Subtitles (IFWES) third annual film festival. While I’m unfortunately not able to attend this year, I’m happy to pass the news along to those of you lucky enough to be in New York City a few weeks from now.  Here’s the information from their official press release:

In French with English Subtitles (IFWES) announces its third annual festival on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2011.

The weekend’s line-up features nine French films, subtitled in English, all of
which were acclaimed by the French public and will most certainly delight our
audiences, both young and old. It will be held at Florence Gould Hall (Fiaf*) at 55
East 59th Street, New York, New York.

Yvan Attal will be present for the opening of “R.I.F.”
And for “In Turmoil” in its World Premiere

R.I.F. (Missing People’s Research) – (Recherches dans l’Intérêt
des Familles)

directed by Franck Mancuso
To open the festival’s Gala evening on December 2nd at 7:30PM, actor Yvan
Attal and producer Patrick Gimenez will present R.I.F., the new thriller by Franck
Mancuso in its New York Premiere.
The film which is subtitled in English will be projected in 35mm. It will be followed
by a question and answer period and a cocktail buffet prepared by the Maîtres
Cuisiniers de France.

In Turmoil – Dans la tourmente

directed by Christophe Ruggia
December 3rd at 8:00PM, Yvan Attal will present Christophe Ruggia’s new
feature length film, In Turmoil – Dans la tourmente in its World Premiere. As
well, Eric Lavaine who directed Welcome aboard – Bienvenue à
bord and Jennifer Devoldère, the director of The day I saw your heart – Et
soudain tout le monde me manque, both big names in French Cinema, will be
here with their films.

FRENCH CULTURE THROUGH ITS FILMS

Allowing the American public to better understand and appreciate original movies
in French in the spirit of mutual understanding and enhanced cooperation is the
goal of the IFWES team of volunteers. To this end, actors, directors and other
professionals of the film industry, are invited to engage in public debate to be
held in English. All for a good cause, as the net proceeds, minus the authorized
fund reserve, of the Festival will be donated to charity : Make a Wish
Foundation® of Metro New York and Western New York (www.metrony.wish.org)
and Entraide Française (www.entraidefrancaisenyc.org).PROGRAM
Friday, December 2, 2011
7:30PM : R.I.F. (Missing People’s Research) – (Recherches dans l’Intérêt des
Familes), Directed by Franck Mancuso. Presented by Yvan Attal and Patrick
Gimenez – New York Premiere – Detective Story.
After his wife’s disappearance from a highway rest stop, Stéphane, head of the
Paris Criminal Investigation Police, and his son, all of a sudden become victims
themselves….
9:45PM : Gala
Saturday, December 3, 2011
1:00PM : Distant neighbourhood – Quartier lointain, Directed by Sam Garbarski -
US Premiere – Comedy/Drama.
Thomas, a father in his fifties, ends up, by pure coincidence, in the town he grew
up in. He suddenly falls ill and wakes up forty years earlier in his teenage body…

3:15PM : Silence of love – Tous les soleils, Directed by Phillippe Claudel – New
York Premiere – Comedy.
Alessandro, an Italian professor of music lives in Strasbourg with his 15 year old
daughter, Irina, in the middle of her adolescent crisis, and with his
brother, Crampone, a gentle but crazy anarchist. Devastated by his wife’s death,
he throws himself into being a model father, while ignoring his own love life…

5:30PM : The day I saw your heart – Et soudain tout le monde me manque,
Presented by the film’s Director and Screenwriter, Jennifer Delvoldère – New
York Premiere – Comedy.
Eli, who’s about to be 60, is expecting a baby with his new wife. Upon hearing
this news, his two grown daughters, Dom, who is trying to adopt, and Justine,
who flits from one boyfriend to the next, are shocked. To get closer to Justine,
whom he has never gotten along with, Eli has the bright idea of making friends
with all of her ex’s without her knowledge…

8:00PM : In turmoil – Dans la tourmente, Directed by Christophe Ruggia,
Presented by Yvan Attal – World Premiere – Detective Story.
Unbeknownst to his workers, the boss of a factory in the Marseille area is making
plans not only to relocate the plant, but to embezzle 2 million euros as well.
Franck, one of the employees, finds out about it and without telling his wife,
Hélène, decides along with his old friend, Max, to take action…Sunday, December 4, 2011

1:00PM : Michel G, king of the world – Moi, Michel G., Milliardaire, Maître du
Monde, Directed by Stéphane Kazandijan, Comedy.
A successful businessman, a symbol of modern capitalism, and
totally unselfconscious, Michel Ganiant has it all: money, power, love. And he
wants everyone to know it…

3:00PM : Ducoboo – L’élève Ducobu, Directed by Phillippe de Chauveron – New
York Premiere – Comedy for children.
To avoid being sent off to boarding school, Ducobu has one last chance: he must
do well at Saint-Potache. To make this happen, the likable dunce will have to
outdo himself with the most ingenious and spectacular tricks imaginable…

5:30PM : Welcome aboard – Bienvenue à bord, Presented by the film’s
Director, Eric Lavaine – International Premiere – Comedy.
Isabelle, the Personnel Director of a major cruise line, has made the big mistake
of getting involved with her boss. Before embarking the jewel of the fleet on its
inaugural cruise he decides to get rid of her, both as his lover and as his
employee…

8:00PM : Switch, Directed by Frédéric Schoendoerffer – New York Premiere -
Detective Story.
Sophie Malaterre, a 25 year old fashion designer, is not looking forward to the
summer holidays. She has no plans, no friends, no boyfriend… Then she hears
about the website switch.com that gives her the opportunity to do a house
exchange for a month…

Several of the films look very promising. For more information please visit the official website here.