Focus on French Cinema (FFC), presented by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, announces the lineup for its 20th edition running from April 24-May 4.
The annual festival of newly released contemporary French and Francophone cinema offers a dynamic selection of both in person and online screenings championing new directors, actors and films selected from some of the most prestigious festivals worldwide. This year’s selection of U.S., East Coast and Connecticut premieres celebrates the history, cultural perspective, innovation and vitality that defines French- language film.
“We’ve done things a little differently this year with an ongoing celebration leading into the April 24- May 5 festival dates,” Director of Programming, Joe Meyers, said in a release. “We formed an alliance with Greenwich Library that has gained us a very enthusiastic new audience. And we have partnered with The Bruce Museum in Greenwich for screening a series of four documentaries running through April. I am happy to report the first two screenings, ‘The Pursuit of Endurance, on the Shoulders of Shackleton,’ featuring a Q & A with producer Luc Hardy and 1874, The Birth of Impressionism were both sold out.”
By curating films from France and Francophone countries, FFC helps highlight the diversity and richness of French-language cinema giving local audiences a chance to discover emerging and established filmmakers.
The films on the Focus on French Cinema platform are available for a limited time mirroring the festival experience and creating a sense of exclusivity. The films are not available to U.S. audiences during the festival dates.
Upcoming films in this series include the March 23rd Greenwich premiere of “L’Océan vu du Coeur(Ocean seen from the heart)” with an online Q & A with co- director Marie- Dominique Michaud, as well as the April 13 Connecticut premiere of Bergers (Shepherds) directed by Québecoise director Sophie Deraspe. In addition, The Greenwich Arts Council will screen Aznavour by Charles (Le Regard de Charles) on April 3 . The latter documentary will lead in to the Opening Night CT Premiere of the musical biographical drama film, Monsieur Aznavour, on April 24. Directed by Mehdi Idir and Grands Corps Malade and starring the extraordinary Tahar Rahim (The Prophet), this 20th anniversary screening will be held at Stamford’s Avon Theatre, Deborah and Chuck Royce Cinema Arts Center.
On April 4 The Friends Friday Film Movie Series at Greenwich Library will feature The Crime is Mine directed by François Ozon with a Q & A with FFC Director of Programming , Joe Meyers.
The Closing film on May 4 at The Bruce Museum will celebrate the renowned French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt with the U.S. Premiere of the biographical film, Sarah Bernhardt, La Divine, directed by Guillaume Nicloux and starring Sandrine Kiberlain and Laurent Lafitte.
Director of Programming for Focus on French Cinema John Meyers. Contributed photo
FFC will present a diverse selection of films including environmental thrillers, comedies, biopics and musical dramas, as well as educational documentaries, and environmental documentaries, coming-of-age films and docufiction – all celebrating the movies and their magic.
Furthermore, the festival will showcase some of the greatest talent in the Francophone world , including Mathieu Amalric, Edouard Bergeon, Damien Bonnard, Sandrine Bonnaire, Camille Cottin , François Damiens, Pierre Deladonchamp, Sophie Deraspe, Arnaud Désplechin, Laeticia Dosch, Romain Duris, Luc Hardy, Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Alexandra Lamy, Bouli Lanners, Marie-Dominque Michaud, Guillaume Nicloux, Benoit Poelvoorde, Tahar Rahim, as well as an array of new talent including Sayyid El Alami, Hafsia Herzi, Félix Moati and others.
Many of the festival’s selection of films will be available online in the tri-state area from April 25- May 4 along with Zoom interviews with Director of Programming , Joe Meyers and talent from the films.
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Renee Amory Ketcham, FFC Managing Director and co-founder, said she was thrilled to honor 20 years of Focus on French Cinema.
“FFC started in 2005 at Purchase College in nearby Purchase NY with 800 viewers. Over the years, the festival moved to Bow Tie Cinemas in Greenwich, which sadly closed in the wake of the Covid Pandemic,” she said, adding, “After that, we began experimenting with a ‘hybrid’ festival, offering a few in person screenings at The Avon, The Bruce, Greenwich Library and The Greenwich Arts Council with in combination with 10+ online screenings, which has increased our audience to 7,000 viewers annually. We are very proud to mark 20 years presenting the best of French and Francophone cinema in collaboration with new and generous partners in the tri state community”