VCU and the University of Richmond Announce the 19th Annual French Film Festival

By Mike Porter

The 19th annual French Film Festival takes place March 24 through March 27 at the historic Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., in Richmond.

Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond are jointly presenting this year’s festival of 23 feature and short films, which will be introduced by their directors, cinematographers or actors. The festival seeks out the latest French films that best illustrate the diversity and richness of today’s French cinema. All films are subtitled in English.

Audience members will engage the actors and directors in a question-and-answer session following each film.

Director, author, actor and producer Jacques Perrin will present two of his documentaries during the festival. “Océans” just received a French César award, equivalent to an American Oscar, for best documentary. “L‘Empire du Milieu du Sud” is the result of a 10-year research project on the history of the Vietnamese people through images and films collected from all around the world, accompanied by texts from Vietnamese, French and American authors or soldiers.

The French Film Festival has had great success in attracting a large and diverse audience, including foreign dignitaries, students, teachers, film enthusiasts, families and art aficionados. Some audience members travel from as far as Oregon, California and Texas.

Visit http://www.frenchfilmfestival.us/  for more information about the festival, a schedule and a synopsis of each film.