Alliance Française and Orienta Partner during Focus on French Cinema Film Festival

Chef Adrien Blech from Orienta Restaurant and Alliance Française of Greenwich president Renee Ketcham are partnering to promote the new independent film directed by Gérard Depardieu, Umami.

The collaboration will happen during this year’s Focus on French Cinema (FFC) film festival April 20 through 30.

Orienta restaurant is known for its eclectic menu inspired by Asian flavors mixed with French cooking techniques.

Blech has created a lunch prix-fixe that will be available exclusively to Focus on French Cinema ticket holders. 

Chef Adrien Blech, Renee Ketcham. Contributed photo

In the film, France’s leading chef Gabriel Carvin (Gérard Depardieu) throws himself into a quest following a near-death experience. He travels from France to Japan in search of the flavor that has confounded his life since he was defeated by a Japanese chef’s bowl of noodles as a young man. FFC ticket holders have access to watch Umami virtually throughout the festival. A virtual ticket can be presented at the restaurant for access to the limited-time prix-fixe deal. 

“We are really excited about bringing Focus on French Cinema back following the pandemic,” said Ketcham said in a release. “And, it’s really special to have our town’s celebrity chef partner with us to promote this very unique film. This year we’ll have three special in-person events and I encourage all to participate.”

Information regarding events during the festival and a film guide can be found online (focusonfrenchcinema.eventive.org/welcome). 

For the past 18 years, the Alliance Française of Greenwich has presented one of the very best French film festivals in the U.S. titled Focus on French Cinema, with a selection of the latest French and French-language movies, including many U.S. premieres and award-winning films.

All films are subtitled in English and showcased in professional venues in and around Greenwich. Guest directors and actors, as well as many other events and educational projects, are part of this annual festival too.  

Tickets: https://focusonfrenchcinema.eventive.org/welcome