2005 French Film Festival

Alliance Française 2005 French Film Festival

Not content with cunningly infiltrating Melbourne via their restaurants, fashion, champers and cholesterol-laden pastries, the Gallic invasion continues with the 2005 FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL which will screen from February 23 until March 8 at three venues; Palace George (Feb 23 to March 2), Palace Como (March 3 to March 8) and Palace Balwyn (Feb 24 to March 8).

Once again, the citys Francophiles will be able to savour the best of contemporary French cinema with performances from some of the nations most esteemed actors including Isabelle Huppert, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nathalie Baye, Yvan Attal, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Sandrine Bonnaire, Anouk Aimée, Danielle Darrieux, Audrey Tautou, Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathilde Seigner.

Proudly presented by major sponsor Peugeot, the 2005 Festival will launch on February 23 at Palace George Cinemas with Agnès Jaouis acclaimed LOOK AT ME (Comme une image) the tale of an egotistical writer and the daughter who craves his attention. LOOK AT ME, in which Jaoui also stars, follows on from the success of her debut drama, THE TASTE OF OTHERS.

Additional 2005 titles include NOT ON THE LIPS (Pas sur la bouche), a buoyant musical comedy starring AMELIEs Audrey Tautou; the fabulous ensemble comedy …AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER (Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup denfants) with Charlotte Gainsbourg, Yvan Attal and Emmanuelle Seigner; GILLES WIFE (La femme de Gilles) the new drama from A PORNOGRAPHIC AFFAIR director, Frédéric Fonteyne; the animated childrens classic THE TURNING TABLE (La Table Tournante) featuring the voice of Anouk Aimée; IVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG (Une vie à tattendre) starring the incomparable Nathalie Baye alongside French cinema legend Danielle Darrieux; and the critically lauded ME AND MY SISTER (Les soeurs fâchées) which showcases the superb talents of Isabelle Huppert.

Two documentaries will also screen as part of this years line-up; MONDOVINO, which explores the impact of globalisation on different wine regions and, from the makers of MICROCOSMOS, GENESIS, in which a storyteller relates the creation of the world.


MELBOURNE TICKETING INFORMATION:

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE FROM FEBRUARY 5.
From the respective venues or telephone bookings by Credit Card only
THE PALACE GEORGE CINEMAS (9534-6922) box office open daily 12 - 8.30pm until sold out
PALACE CINEMA COMO (9827-7533) box office open daily 12 - 8.30pm until sold out
PALACE BALWYN CINEMA (9817-1277) box office open daily 12 - 8.30pm until sold out

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NATIONAL DATES FOR THE 2005 FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL:
MELBOURNE: 23 February - 8 March (Palace Balwyn and The George)
SYDNEY: 24th February - 2 March (Palace Centro)
CANBERRA: 3rd March - 9 March (Electric Shadows)
SYDNEY: 10th March 2 March (Palace Academy Twin and Norton Street)
ADELAIDE: 10th March 16 March (Palace Nova Eastend)
PERTH: 17 March - 23 March (Cinema Paradiso)

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