Editor’s note: French cinema is invading Kyiv this week. On Sept. 13, beautiful Mariyinsky Park next to the parliament house on 5 Grushevskogo St. will host an open-air film festival Paris Today. All films will be shown in French with Ukrainian subtitles. Some of them may be of paramount importance to real movie fans.
2 DAYS IN PARIS
France 2007
Drama, comedy
Directed by Julie Delpi
Starring Julie Delpi, Adam Goldberg
French photographer Marion and her American boyfriend Jack try to save their deteriorating relationship. So they have high hopes for Paris. But everything goes wrong when Jack meets Marion’s parents and her ex-boyfriends. Marion is also irritated by Jack’s obsession withphotographing every famous Parisian tombstone. And his endless comments about French condomsthat are too small don’t help saving their relationship. This plot sounds like a winner for a fun night out.
Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
France 2006
Comedy
Directed by Emmanuel Mouret
Starring Emmanuel Mouret, Frederique Bel
The plot of this film is rather simple, so stick to the dialogues. Two lovers are hiding from the wild, wild world in their small flat in Paris. They refuse to grow up being afraid that reality bites. And in fact it does. It is difficult to save love when you have to mature.
Some film critics point out that many jokes in this romantic comedy are so peculiar, that they can’t be appreciated by a non-French audience. And yet, the film is funny,the soundtrack is pleasant,and watching young blonde Frederique Bel play the girlfriend will surely please the male part of the audience.
Thursday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m.
LOVE SONGS
France 2007
Musical comedy, drama
Directed by Christophe Honore
Starring Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier
One of the most provocative French filmmakers, Christophe Honore, suddenly decided to make a musical. His last film “My Mother” was all about incest and scenes of brutal pornography. But it cannot always be doom and gloom, he may have thought, and shot the story about three young lovers living in Paris. Theywalk the streets of their splendid city, party, read and sleep together. Their future seems bright but only until they meet death and grief. It’s a musical comedy with substantial drama elements – very touching and impressive.
Friday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m.
