Revealing its complete crème-de-la-crème programme of contemporary French films, the Alliance Française French Film Festival is back in Canberra for 2023.
Arriving in Canberra at Palace Electric Cinemas from 9 March to 5 April, the culturally curious will once again venture to the cinema and be seduced by a season of electrifying French storytelling.
Setting the scene with a heady dose of glamour, lust and manipulation, Nicolas Bedos’ Masquerade opens the festival. An official selection of Cannes Film Festival 2022, the sexy and oh-so-French drama starring Pierre Niney, Isabelle Adjani and Marine Vacth transports cinemagoers to the dreamy shores of Côte d’Azur. Closing the festival on a bittersweet high, is a road trip of sublime joy and tears in Didier Barcelo’s Freestyle, featuring rising star Benjamin Voisin and the enchanting Marina Foïs.
“2023 represents our most dynamic programme to-date,” says Karine Mauris, Festival Artistic Director and Cultural Attachée to the French Embassy in Australia,
“The hilarity of a meta-zombie comedy, suspenseful thrillers and historical dramas that will have you clinging to the edge of your seat, family-friendly flicks and of course, l’amour in all its forms!”
Joining the Alliance Française on its vision to immerse newcomers in its culture are festival ambassadors, acclaimed chef Guillaume Brahimi, lauded blockbuster film director Phillip Noyce AO, renowned actor David Wenham AM, and internationally recognised filmmaker Samantha Lang.
“Culture is the beating heart of French society. Over the past century, French Cinema has not only captured major and minor events and documented changes in political, social and daily life, it has been a major influence on how the rest of the world approaches making films and telling stories in a continuing journey to understand who we are and what we do. French cinema, for me, is always alive!” Says David Wenham.
“This year’s festival line-up is sure to delight foodies and cinephiles alike. I’m looking forward to Sugar and Stars, a true story about a young man from a difficult upbringing and his journey to become a famed pastry chef, along with Umami, starring Gérard Depardieu on a quest to Japan for exceptional noodles,” says Guillaume Brahimi.
Ticket sales open Thursday 9 February at 9am via https://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/
