VCU French Film Festival marks ninth year

By Mary Beth Alford

RICHMOND, Va. – A delegation of nearly 30 French actors and directors will present their latest works in film at the ninth annual Virginia Commonwealth University French Film Festival March 30 through April 1.

The VCU French Film Festival, recognized by the French film industry as one of the most important events of its kind, will premiere 11 full-length films and a selection of eight short films. The screening will mark the North American debuts and, in some cases, world premieres of the films. VCU offers the nation's only American-led initiative to promote new and acclaimed French films not yet distributed in the U.S.

Two of this year’s films, "Mon père," written and directed by José Giovanni, and "Le Roman de Lulu," directed by Pierre-Olivier Scotto, are world premieres.

"This is the largest delegation of French filmmakers ever to gather in the United States," said Peter Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., festival founder and organizer, and associate professor of French at VCU. "What is remarkable about VCU’s festival is that audiences will have a chance to interact with actors, directors and producers in formal question and answer sessions. To learn first-hand what goes into the making of a film is an experience unparalleled by any such event in the country."

Traditionally, French filmmakers have found the U.S. a difficult market in which to distribute their films. However, says Kirkpatrick, the VCU French Film Festival has all but turned that around. It has helped to gage the American audiences’ reaction to French films. In fact, a number of films featured at past VCU festivals have been chosen by American film companies for wide U.S. distribution. "Germinal," by director Claude Berri; "Hélas pour moi," directed by Jean-Luc Godard and "Lautrec," directed by Roger Planchon, are three such films.

"Richmond is unique in that it gives French filmmakers and U.S. distribution companies a true picture of how the general public reacts to the films," said Kirkpatrick. "When these types of films are screened in larger U.S. cities, they are generally viewed by the French that reside in those cities, not necessarily the general public.

Each year three-fourths of moviegoers in France view American films. In contrast, less than one percent of films released in the U.S. are foreign productions.

Last year more than 6,000 people attended VCU’s French Film Festival. "Our festival has proven that Americans want to see more foreign films," Kirkpatrick said. "This year, between film enthusiasts and the general public, we hope to attract more than 8,000 entries."

All movies will have English subtitles and will be followed by question-and-answer sessions with the French celebrities. Discussions will be in English and in French with an interpreter.

The VCU French Film Festival is sponsored by VCU; the French Screenwriting Guild (SACD); the French Director’s and Producer’s Guild (L’ARP); Unifrance, the official French Film Office in Paris; the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and Ellwood Thompson’s Natural Market in Richmond.

The movie screenings will be held at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., and a reception and gala dinner will be held at 7:15 p.m. on March 31, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Boulevard and Grove avenues.

To attend all film screenings and the official reception, the public may purchase a VIP Friends of the Festival pass for $35, $25 for students. A $75 VIP pass includes admission to the gala dinner. Tickets for individual screenings may be purchased for $5 at the door.

For more information call the VCU French Film Festival Hotline at (804) 278-0210 or visit www.frenchfilm.vcu.edu. For ticket and pass information, call (804) 357-FILM.

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Calendar of Events and Screenings

• A pre-festival screening of " Le Prince du Pacifique" (The Prince of the Pacific), produced and starring world reknown actor Thierry Lhermitte, will be presented by Peter Kirkpartrick, Ph.D., at 7 p.m. March 30.

• Actress Claire Keim will present "Le Roi Danse," (The Dancing King) which traces Louis XIV’s rise to power and infatuation with fine arts; at 9:00 p.m. on March 30.

• "Le Créateur" (The Creator)

            , directed by and starring Albert Dupontel will be screened at midnight on March 30. The title character, God,             is played by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame.

• With the U.S. looking closely at the Mad Cow disease situation in Europe, director Philippe Muyl and actor Mehdi Ortelsberg will answer questions following the timely film, "La Vache et le Président" (The Cow and the President), at 9 a.m. March 31, sponsored by Radio Disney. The cow itself also will be available before the film.

• After the standing ovation for his "Les enfants du marais" (Children of the Marshland) at last year’s festival Jean Becker has decided to come to Richmond to present his latest comedy "Un Crime au Paradis" (A Crime in Paradise) starring Josiane Balasko, and Jacques Villaret at 11:45 a.m. March 31.

Director and author José Giovanni, known for his story "Le trou," rendered famous by Jacques Becker in 1960, retraces the roots of his father, once a Richmond resident, in "Mon père" (My Father) at 2 p.m. March 31. Giovanni and actors Bruno Crémer, Vincent Lecoeur and Nicolas Abraham will present this world premier screening. Actress Claire Keim, director Pierre-Olivier Scotto and producer Thierry de Ganay will present the world premier showing of "Le Roman de Lulu" (Roman and Lulu), adapted from David Decca’s award-winning play at 4:30 p.m. March 31. A series of eight short films presented by France’s up-and-coming young directors will be shown at midnight March 31. Director Nathan Miler, actress Anne Brochet and producer Annie Miller will present "La Chambre des Magiciennes" (Of Women and Magic), shot entirely with digital cameras, at 9:30 a.m. April 1.After debuting in the Director’s Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000, the film "Lumumba" is being showcased at VCU’s festival at 11:30 a.m. April 1. Director Raoul Peck will present this factual depiction of the rise and mysterious execution of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first Prime minister.Actor Albert Dupontel will present "La Maladie de Sachs" (Dr. Sachs’ Illness) at 2:10 p.m. April 1. The film addresses the suffering, anxiety and frustrations that confront a busy country doctor.Comedian Elie Semoun and director/actor Patrick Braoudé will present Braoudé’s recent film "Deuxième vie" (A Second Life) at 4:30 p.m. April 1. The comedy tells the tale of a man who crashes his car and wakes up sixteen years into the future to a life and family he knows nothing about.