Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Focus on French Cinema announces new partnerships with festival d'angouleme and New York's French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF)

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March 17, 2014

CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY, FOCUS ON FRENCH

CINEMA ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH FESTIVAL

DANGOULME AND NEW YORKS FRENCH INSTITUTE ALLIANCE FRANAISE (FIAF)

FESTIVAL LINE-UP INCLUDES 7 U.S. PREMIERES, INCLUDING WINNER OF

CSAR AWARD FOR BEST FILM, GUILLAUME GALLIENNES LES GARONS ET GUILLAUME TABLE! Friday, April 4 - Sunday, April 6 - Bow Tie Cinemas Criterion Cinemas, 2 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, Conn. Tuesday, April 8 - FIAF, Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, New York, N.Y.

GREENWICH, CONN. (March 17, 2014) --- Focus on French Cinema 2014 (FFC) is rolling out the red carpet

for its 10th Anniversary in Greenwich, CT the weekend of April 4-6, 2014 with closing night April 8 at the

French Institute Alliance Franaise (FIAF) in Manhattan. A premiere film event, presented by the Alliance

Franaise of Greenwich, Focus on French Cinema has screened over 100 films since 2005 to an audience

of over 30,000 spectators in the New York and Connecticut area.

Entering our 10th year, we are thrilled and proud to bring the very best of a vast selection of French films from around the world, said Catherine Lamairesse, Founder and Chair of Focus on French Cinema.

This year, the festival is joined by two new partners: Le Festival du Film Francophone dAngoulme, the largest francophone festival in France with 50,000 attendees, and New York's renowned French Institute

Alliance Francaise (FIAF), one of the largest and most respected centers of French-American cultural

activities in the U.S. with over 10,000 members. This year, Focus on French Cinema is broadening the

scope of the festival with a unique selection of around-the-clock screenings of French Cinema from around

the world.


Focus on French Cinema is thrilled to unveil its new 10th anniversary logo, designed in collaboration with

the French Institute Alliance Franaise (FIAF) by world-famous graphic designer Philippe Apeloig, refreshes

the festivals image with a chic and contemporary new look.

Focus on French Cinema 2014 will screen 20 newly released feature films from France, Belgium, Canada,

Africa and Switzerland including multiple genres of drama, comedy, thriller, adventure and everything in

between, as well as documentaries and short films, in two theaters at Bow Tie Cinemas in Greenwich,

Conn. The weekend in Greenwich, Conn. will adhere to the tradition of the festival with an Opening Night

U.S. Premiere film. 9 mois ferme (9 Month Stretch), the laugh-out-loud black comedy starring Albert

Dupontel and Sandrine Kiberlain, winner of the Csar for Best Original Screenplay (Albert Dupontel) and

Best Actress (Sandrine Kiberlain), opens the festival on Friday, April 4 followed by the annual Gala Buffet

Dinner, this year at the Greenwich Arch Street Teen Center and hosted again by Les Matres Cuisiniers de

France, LAcadmie Culinaire de France and Le Wine Shop. Saturday mornings Round Table will feature a panel of guest directors, actors and producers from the world of French Cinema, moderated by film studies

experts and film critics. The screenings will then be followed by fascinating Q&As, a Purchase College

student film competition and other festival Special Events. In addition, local Greenwich businesses and

restaurants will be gearing up to bring a variety of special offers promoting the festival weekend.

Tuesday, April 8 takes FFC to FIAF, where two U.S. Premiere screenings of the French Movie of the Year and winner of five Csars for Best Film, Best Actor (Guillaume Gallienne), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best

Editing and Best First Film, Les garons et Guillaume, table! (Me, Myself and Mum), will bring the festival

to a climactic close followed by a festive Closing Night Party.

FIAF is delighted to join Focus on French Cinema on this new cinematic adventure, uniting the heart of Greenwich, CT and the heart of New York City, said Marie-Monique Steckel, President of FIAF.

These high-profile partnerships with Angoulme and FIAF establish Focus on French Cinema as an

international meeting place for its 10th Anniversary, where film professionals and moviegoers can interact

with directors, actors and French film industry professionals. Dominique Besnehard, iconic French agent to the stars, director, producer, actor and co-founder of Le Festival du Film Francophone d'Angoulme in 2008, will be on hand throughout the four-day festival to share his expertise on French-language films with

guests and American viewers. The new partnership with FIAF, New Yorks premiere French language and cultural center, brings the festival to New York City, with its large community of francophones, francophiles,

and passionate French film enthusiasts. These impressive new partnerships establish Focus on French

Cinema as a premiere platform for exciting new French cinema in the U.S.

Focus on French Cinema 2014 Films:

OPENING NIGHT

U.S. PREMIERE

9 MOIS FERME (9 MONTH STRETCH)

Albert Dupontel, France, 2013, 82 min.

With Albert Dupontel, Sandrine Kiberlain, Nicolas Marie.

Winner of 2 Csars for Best Screenplay ( Albert Dupontel) and Best Actress (Sandrine Kiberlain)

In French with English subtitles


The most profitable comedy of the year in France. Ariane Feder, a young judge and confirmed single

woman with strict morals is pregnant! A laugh-out-loud dark comedy on paternity questions based on a totally out of character drunken New Years Eve celebration, 9 mois ferme is the winner of 2 Cesars for Best Actress( Sandrine Kiberlain) and best original screenplay (Albert Dupontel).

Friday, April 4, 7:30 pm Bow Tie Cinemas 2 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT

HIVER NOMADE (WINTER NOMADS)

Manuel von Sturler, Switzerland, 2013, 85 min.

In French with English subtitles.

There is snow on the ground, and shepherds Carole and Pascal are heading through French-speaking

Switzerland with three donkeys, four dogs and 800 sheep for the seasonal migration known as the

transhumance. A true story of nature, culture, society and humanity, this Swiss documentary has triumphed at festivals around the world.

Saturday, April 5, 10 am Bow Tie Cinemas, 2 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich , CT

QUAI DORSAY (THE FRENCH MINISTER) Bertrand Tavernier, France, 2013, 113 min.

Winner of the Csar for Best Supporting Actor (Niels Arestrup)

With Thierry Lhermitte, Raphael Personnaz, Niels Arestrup.


A laugh-outloud French political satire, The French Minister takes us on a breathless ride through the halls of French Government.

Saturday, April 5, 11:45 am Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

U.S. PREMIERE

LE SENS DE LHUMOUR Marilyne Canto , France, 2013, 88 min.

With Marilyne Canto, Antoine Chappy, Samson Dajczman.


An original romance that premiered in competition at the Locarno Film Festival. A violent attraction brings

new meaning to love.

Saturday, April 5th, 12pm, Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich , CT

VIOLETTE

Martin Provost, France, 2013, 139 min.

With Emmanuelle Devos, Sandrine Kiberlain, Olivier Gourmet.


A literary drama-biopic about the life-long relationship between feminist author, Violette Leduc, and

Simone de Beauvoir that takes place in the post-World War II years in St- Germain-des-Prs. Violettes quest for freedom through writing is in the hands of Simone de Beauvoir. Starring the incredible duo

Emmanuelle Devos and Sandrine Kiberlain.

Saturday, April 5, 2:30 pm Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

U.S. PREMIERE

JE TE SURVIVRAI ( ILL BURY YOU)


Sylvestre Sbille, Belgium, 2014 91m

With Jonathan Zaccai, Ben Riga.


Not yet released in France, Je Te Survivrai tells the story of an unbearably wealthy real estate magnate

determined to purchase the priceless but crumbling property of his neighbor, Blanche. They loathe each

other, and when he climbs into her well...


RUE MANDAR (WHERE WE GREW UP)

Idit Cebula, France, 2013, 95 min.

With Sandrine Kiberlain, Richard Berry, Emmanuelle Devos, Emmanuelle Bercot


More than just a Jewish comedy, Rue Mandar is the story of electrifying encounters between family

members who fail to easily express love for each other.


LE DEMANTELEMENT (THE AUCTION)

Sbastien Pilote, Quebec 2013, 112 min.

With Gabriel Arcand. Pierre-Luc Brillant, Normand Carriere, Claude Desjardins, Sophie Desmarais


A rural drama that takes place in Qubec, Le Demantlement is the story of Gary, whose farm must be

dismantled due to the financial issues of his daughter.


U.S. PREMIERE

EN SOLITAIRE (TURNING TIDE)

Christophe Offenstein, France, 2013, 96 min.

With Franois Cluzet, Samy Seghir, Guillaume Canet, Virginie Efira.


The heart-stopping story of the Vende round-theglobe singlehanded yacht race. Breathtaking with a twist, starring Franois Cluzet.


AVANT LHIVER (BEFORE THE WINTER CHILL) Philippe Claudel, France, 2013, 102 min.

With Daniel Auteuil, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leila Bakti


An upper-class drama by Philippe Claudel with French favorite Danielle Auteuil and international star

Kristin Scott Thomas. A tale of unspoken stories and secrets amid bouquets of roses...


2 AUTOMNES 3 HIVERS (2 AUTUMNS 3 WINTERS)

Sbastien Betbeder, France, 2013, 91 min.

One of the best new films representative of the New New Wave in French cinema. At age 33 , Arman has decided to change his life. Runners whose first encounter is a shock meet again with a stab in the heart.


Saturday, April 5, 9:45 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

U.S. PREMIERE

BELLE ET SEBASTIEN Nicolas Vanier, France, 2013, 104 min.

With Vincent Macaigne, Maud Wyler, Bastien Bouillon


High in the Alps where the snow is immaculate and the summits reach through the clouds, Sbastien

tames the wild dog Belle. An adventure of an indestructible friendship during the Nazi occupation.

Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

JE FAIS LE MORT (PLAYING DEAD)

Jean-Paul Salom , France, 2013, 105 min.

With Franois Damiens, Geraldine Nakache, Lucien Jean-Baptiste, Anne le Ny.


A unemployed actor forced to stand in for a cadaver in crime scenes leads to an investigative role in a

delicate affair in the Mgve ski resort.

Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

UN BEAU DIMANCHE (GOING AWAY)

Nicole Garcia, France, 2014, 95 min.

With Pierre Rochefort, Louise Bourgoin.


Baptiste is a solitary type who never remains in the same teaching job for more than three weeks. After

meeting Sandra, Baptiste, in an attempt to help her, must return to the dark secrets of his bourgeois past.

A current romantic drama from highly respected director Nicole Garcia set in the South of France.

Sunday, April 6, 12:30 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

U.S. PREMIERE

SUR LE CHEMIN DE LECOLE (ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL) Pascal Plisson, France, 2013, 77 min.

Winner of the Csar for Best Documentary


An around-the-world experience about the essential need for education. The children depicted in this film,

living across four corners of the globe, all share the same desire to learn, understanding that only

education will allow them to improve their lives.


U.S. PREMIERE

GIBRALTAR

Julien Leclercq, France, 2013, 110 min.

With Gilles Lellouche, Tahar Rahim.


Always Lie, Never Betray is the mantra of this period thriller, set in the 1980s, about an informant trapped between customs forces and drug dealers.



PLANTE OCAN (PLANET OCEAN)

Yann Arthus-Bertrand, France 2012, 96 min.

In English

Imagine a documentary that will change the way we look at our oceans. A visually striking environmental

film by ground breaking photographer-turned-director Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

Friday, April 4, 11 am Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT Sunday, April 6, 2:30 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

GRIGRIS

Mahamet-Saleh Haroun, France, 2013, 101 min.

With Souleymane Deme.


His paralyzed leg should mean he is excluded, but 27 year old Grigris dreams of becoming a danceuntil his dream is shattered...


U.S. PREMIERE

TALENTS CANNES (CANNES TALENTS 2013)

Aurore Atika, La Drucker, Elodie Navarre, Pierre Niney, Clmont Sibony, Thomer Sisley, Alice Taglioni

Screened at The Cannes Film Festival, May 2013


Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the program, Dominique Besnehard and Antoine Le Carpentier, in

association with ADAMI, co-produced several short films by talented well-known actors. Dominique

Besnehard will be on hand to lead the discussion of this extraordinary selection of 7 short films starring 22

future talents of French cinema.

Sunday, April 6, 7 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

11.6

Philippe Godeau, France, 2013, 132 min.

With Franois Cluzet, Bouli Lanners, Corinne Masiero


A film-noir thriller loved by French and U.S. critics, 11.6 is based on the true story of Toni Musilin, who, as a

money transfer security driver, puts the pedal to the metal in his armored car with 11.6 million euros. Sunday, April 6, 9:15 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, Greenwich, CT

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

U.S. PREMIERE

LES GARONS ET GUILLAUME, A TABLE (ME, MYSELF AND MUM)

Tuesday, April 8, 5 pm and 7pm

FIAF, Florence Gould Hall

7:00 pm screening will be followed by Closing Night Party

Guillaume Gallienne, 2013. Color. 85 min.

With Guillaume Gallienne, Andr Marcon, Franoise Fabian, Nanou Garcia


Winner of 5 Csars for Best Film, Best Actor (Guillaume Gallienne), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing

and Best First film

Before he even knew what gay meant, award- winning French Actor Guillaume Galliennes domineering mother defined him as such. In this hilarious crowd- pleaser based on his sexually confused youth,

Gallienne stars as both his awkward teenage self and his confident, outspoken mother.

All films and schedule are subject to change.

For more information on tickets, film schedule, round table discussions and other festival special events,

please visit www.focusonfrenchcinema.org or e-mail media contact: Rene Amory Ketcham at

[email protected] or call 203-531-9101.

About the French Institute Alliance Franaise (FIAF)

The French Institute Alliance Franaise (FIAF) is New Yorks premiere French cultural center. FIAF's mission is to create and offer New Yorkers innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore

the evolving diversity and richness of French cultures. FIAF seeks to generate new ideas and promote

cross cultural dialogue through partnerships and new platforms of expression. www.fiaf.org

About the Festival du Film Francophone dAngoulme

The Festival Film Francophone dAngoulme is Frances premiere francophone film festival. Created in August 2008 by Marie-France Brire, Dominique Besnehard, and Patrick Mardikian, the festival fosters

emerging talent and has become a major event for the promotion of francophone cinema, drawing film

industry professionals from French-speaking countries all over the world. www.filmfrancophone.fr

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Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Focus on French Cinema announces new partnerships with festival d'angouleme and New York's French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF)