Francophone movies, plays and other events to be held in Kyiv for a week
The Francophonie Week festival organized by the French Cultural Center in collaboration with the Embassies of Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Romania, France and Switzerland will feature a series of events presented in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, including meetings, performances, feature films, student shorts and French-speaking productions.
As part of the Francophone cinema festival Cinema Territory, eight films made in Belgium, Canada, France, Morocco, Mauritania, Romania and Switzerland will be shown.
The Belgian film “Quand La Mer Monte” (“When the Sea Rises”), which in 2005 received two Cesar Awards, the national film award of France, will open the festival. The film tells the story of Irene, a comedienne in her ’40s traveling through the north of France with a street theater and Dries, a vagabond who becomes smitten with her and her show. Despite having a husband and child waiting at home, Irene becomes charmed by the attention of her admirer.
“Mon Frere Se Marie” (“My Brother Is Getting Married”), a Swiss comedy about the long-term consequences of adoption was awarded a Swiss Film Prize last year. Vietnamese adoptee Vinh announces to his Swiss family that he’s getting married to local girl Sarah. He’s still in contact with his biological mother who is coming to see her son in Switzerland, a move that will change everybody’s lives.
The French film “Delice Paloma” (“Paloma Delight”), written and directed by Nadir Mokneche, tells the story of scam artist Madame Aldjeria who adopts the name of the country she’s living in. Along with her team, Madame Aldjeria fixes up other people’s problems in exchange for cash. Madame Aldjeria’s new recruit, Paloma, catches everyone’s eye including Riyad, who just happens to be Madame Aldjeria’s son.
“Mille Mois” (“A Thousand Months”), which won the Award of the Youth and Le Premier Regard Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003, was described by its director as a “polyphonic” film. Set in a small Moroccan village, it interweaves the lives of a number of characters, focused around one small boy.
The film “Jeune Homme” (“Youth”) presents the story of an 18 year-old teenager named Sebastian who leaves his Swiss German parents’ home to learn French in Geneva, as an au pair helper of the family. Coping with a lot of difficulties and misunderstanding surrounding his daily chores, he manages to find time for his first love.
The Canadian drama “Les Invasions Barbares” (“The Barbarian Invasions”) by Denys Arcand (winner of two major awards at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival), is the story of a dying man, who, during his final days, is reunited with old friends, former lovers, his ex-wife, and estranged son.
The French movie “Waiting for Happiness” depicts life in the seaside town of Nouadhibou in Mauritania. A young man, Abdallah, visits the town where his mother lives, before emigrating. He feels disconnected from his people because he dresses in Western clothes, and he does not speak the language, but Abdallah’s mother urges him to follow traditional customs while he’s in town.
“Four Months, Three Weeks and Two Days” will close the festival. Nominated for a Golden Globe award, and with several awards under its belt, the film is a drama about a woman who assists her friend to arrange an illegal abortion in 1980s Romania.
Moreover, during Francophonie Week, the French Embassy is organizing cultural evenings and Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen” staged in French starring Isabel Giyo (mezzo-soprano) and Jacques-Greg Belobo (baritone), which will take place on March 20 at the National Opera House of Ukraine.
Kyiv (19 Chervonoarmiyska, 234-7381), Tickets Hr 25
When the Sea Rises – March 14, 8 p.m.
Youth – March 15, 8 p.m.
Paloma Delight – March 16, 8 p.m.
A Thousand Months – March 17, 8 p.m.
My Brother Is Getting Married – March 18, 8 p.m.
The Barbarian Invasions – March 19, 8 p.m.
Waiting for Happiness – March 20, 8 p.m.
Four Months, Three Weeks and Two Days – March 21, 8 p.m.
All films are shown in original with subtitles.
National Opera House of Ukraine (50 Volodymyrska, 279-1169)
March 20, 7 p.m.
For more information go to www.ifu.com.ua.
