Today marks the beginning of this year’s Cork French Film Festival, which runs until Sunday, the 8th of March.
It’s that time of year again when Cork city denizens are treated to a feast of cinematic delight from one of the world’s truly greatest cinematic countries; France.
The 31st French Film Festival begins today (the 4th of March) with the showing of ‘Proxima’ at the Gate Cinema. Starring former Bond Girl Eva Green and US actor Matt Dillon, ‘Proxima’ was directed by Alice Winocour and nominated as the official French entry for the American Academy Awards’ ‘Best International Film’ this year.
This film tells the story of Sarah, a woman trying to balance her work as an astronaut preparing for a year-long stint on the International Space Station – with that of her family role as mother to an eight-year-old daughter Stella. It was shot in various real training facilities at the European Space Agency.
The Closing Night film also features a franco-American cast. ‘The Truth’ (La Verité) is directed by Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda – his first film not in Japanese. It stars Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawke.
Chairman of the Cork French Film Festival, John Mullins said: “The Festival promises to provide a wide range of fine films. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the whole team at the Alliance Française de Cork on providing us with an excellent programme for 2020. I wish to thank on your behalf all of the sponsors without whose support these events cannot happen. We are very grateful for the support of the Embassy of France in Ireland and to Cork City Council for their generous support of the Festival.”
Valérie David-McGonnell and Josselin Le Gall, Directors of Alliance Française de Cork, said: “We are delighted to announce the programme for this year’s Cork French Film Festival which is now in its 31st year. Besides bringing a French-language cinematic experience to Cork audiences, the Cork French Film Festival aims to provide an insight into French and Francophone cultures and societies. This year’s edition features the best of French cinema as well as an exciting documentary about the art street scene in Kinshasa, a film presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland as part of the Francophonie Festival and in resonance with the upcoming Africa 2020 Season in France.”
Partners and supporting sponsors this year include the French Embassy in Ireland, the Consular Agency of France in Cork, the Arts Council, the Cork City Council / Arts Office, Amarenco, the Port Of Cork, CIT, River Lee Hotel, UCC Department of French, the Gate Cinema, Institut Français, IFI, The Friary, The Cork Environmental Forum, the UCC Environmental Society, Digipix, No-filter, the Cork French Teachers’ Association, Café Marius. The programme for the 31st Cork French Film Festival has been curated by Guest Festival Programmer, Marie-Pierre Richard.
For full programme details, see www.corkfrenchfilmfestival.com.