For 23 years now, the annual French Film Festival has been creating virtual magic — bringing us a little closer to the culture and language of France, and putting on display the creativity of its film directors and actors. It’s a little oasis of Cine Magique that I look forward to each year. And for its 23rd edition, the French Film Festival (FFF) runs from June 6 to 12, and there are a total of 22 films exhibited, including a retrospective of some of Jean-Pierre Melville’s iconic films from the 1950s onwards — something to look forward to, as Melville is regarded as one of the spiritual fathers of the French New Wave.
Born Jean-Pierre Grumbach, he adopted the nom de guerre Melville in honor of his favorite author Herman Melville. Known for his handheld shots and jump cuts, Les Enfants Terribles and Bob le Flambeur are among his films from the 1950s. He worked until his death in 1973; and is considered instrumental in developing the French noir films, and the careers of the likes of Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. Michael Mann and Quentin Tarantino in America, and John Woo in Asia have professed their admiration for Melville, acknowledging his influence in their work.
Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard in the meta-comedy Rock’n Roll.
Among the crop of films at this year’s festival that I’m especially excited for are Cézanne et moi, a look into the volatile friendship of Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola; Django, about guitarist extraordinaire Django Reinhardt and his life during World War II; Personal Shopper, directed by Olivier Assayas, and stars Kirsten Stewart; and Rock’n Roll, a meta-comedy with real life couple Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard portraying themselves as Canet goes through his mid-life crisis.
If in past incarnations, the FFF would run at Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street Cinemas, we can now add UP Town Center Cinemas, which should be a welcome development for the QC film community. And later in the month, the festival travels to Cebu and Davao. The Guillaume’s Canet and Gallienne, Marion Cotillard, Pierre Niney, Juliette Binoche, Anthony Bajon — these are just some of the more illustrious names of French actors working today, and it’s always interesting to watch their latest. French cinema has even bestowed credibility, and revived Kirsten Stewart’s acting career.
So, I hope I’ll see you at the screenings!