When sensational and talented French actress Marion Cotillard became the country’s first to bring home an Academy award, France not only revelled in its Oscar moment but also celebrated one of its most remarkable cultural offerings to the world — French films.

Not wasting any more time in showcasing all things exquisitely French, Alliance Francaise in Bahrain is giving all French-language movie lovers an opportunity to catch up with some of the finest contemporary French films.

The French Film Festival to hit the screens in Seef Mall will display a brilliant movie extravaganza covering the various facets of life.

“French cinema has always been enduring and an excellent. There is no international festival which doesn’t award either a French movie or a French actor. The purpose of holding a French Film Festival is to introduce French movies to the non-French speaking countries such as Bahrain, giving people a chance to get more involved in the language and understand French culture,” said Olivier Huynh-Van, director of Alliance Française.

To take place from May 28 to June 9, the festival’s line up includes seven movies: Je ne suis pas là pour être aimé (Not here to be loved), Le lait de la tendresse humaine (The milk of human kindness), Les Visiteurs (The visitors), Les parapluies de Cherbourg (The umbrella of Cherbourg), Kirikou et les betes sauvages (Kirikou and the wild beasts), Le petit lieutenant (The little lieutenant) and De l’autre côté de la mer (The other side of the sea).

With subtitles available in Arabic and English, it really won’t matter if you speak French or not. “With the Arabic and English subtitle option, language will not be a barrier and everyone can have access to French cinema. It will be a challenge for us to focus on French cinema once a year and provide subtitles in Arabic and English,” said Olivier.

The festival aims at exploring the different dimensions of movie making, without restricting it to any specific genres or age groups.

Aimed at attracting movie lovers of all types, and especially those with a penchant for languages, the festival will throw open disparate themes. “You don’t have to be a French movie lover or expert to like French cinema, but for those who appreciate it or discover it, the question is to find another taste far from the usual classifications like action, horror, war or drama. It is like the French cooking, once you watch it you will not forget it and you will certainly look forward to repeat the experience,” explained Olivier.
Released between 1964 to 2005, the themes are diverse, bound to keep viewers interested and even hooked on French cinema.

From dramas to comedy and animation to musicals, the movie festival’s range is eclectic, voicing creativity, churning cultural curiosity and springing forth an unprecedented wave of excitement.

So pick up some piping hot French fries and get ready for a ride into the French cinematic wonderland.

For information, call 17 683-295.