French film festival set for big screen

ACCLAIMED French feature films from the past year are coming to the Star Cinema in Eaglehawk later this month as part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival.

Alliance Française general manager Marie-Hélène Predhom said the selection really is the cream of the cinematic crop.

“Most of the ones they selected are actually in the top 10 of our movies this year,” she said.

The screening list includes films like Masquerade and Two Tickets to Greece.

“Two Tickets to Greece has some deep things about life, but overall, the movie is quite light, and the landscapes are beautiful,” Ms Predhom said.

“Masquerade has all the ingredients of the French typical view of the French Riviera, the luxury, the decadence also.

“People either like or don’t like it, but it leaves you talking.”

Programming manager at the Star Cinema, Hannah Morton, said she is pleased with early ticket sales for the festival.

“The lineup is a really great one and the early numbers seem to be reflecting that, so we’re excited,” said Ms Morton.

“There’s a lot of excitement around the festival, it’s really embedded in our annual calendar now.”

The Alliance Française French Film Festival is in its 34th year in Australia and is growing.

“This year we are about to break our record of attendance in Melbourne,” Ms Predhom said.

“We are reaching 50,000 tickets at the box office. It’s quite encouraging.

“There are many people who go to the movies who obviously do not speak French.

“It’s really the effort that is highly expected and recommended by people who like not only French but cinema also.”

The Alliance Française French Film Festival runs at the Star Cinema from 21 to 23 April.