Oui, j’adore la cinema française!
Merci pour Wes Anderson, because the auteur’s partnership with the French Institute Alliance Française (FI:AF) has brought some of the greatest French films stateside for a very special curated event. Is there a greater double feature–no, triple feature–than Anderson’s ode to a fictional French town with a François Truffaut classic, followed by a Jacques Becker comedy?
While Anderson could not be in-person for the U.S. premiere of his gorgeously whimsical anthology film “The French Dispatch” at the stunning 59th New York Film Festival, he certainly achieved the goal of placing a beret atop the Big Apple thanks to his “French Connection” collaboration with FI:AF.
From Sept. 14 through Oct. 26, running every Tuesday, FI:AF screens selected films through its CinéSalon, beginning with “Peppermint Soda” and concluding with “Antoine and Antoinette.”
Highlights from the program include Truffaut’s “The Man Who Loved Women,” telling the story of a philandering writer whose final lovers reunite at his funeral, while his female editor retraces the missteps of his heart. “Max and the Junkmen” offers a unique twist on a dark comedy about an aloof Parisian detective who tries to deceive a gang of bank robbers, all while falling for one of the criminal’s girlfriends. Lastly, Becker’s “Antoine and Antoinette” is a magnificent romp of a romantic comedy as a young couple seeks out a misplaced winning lottery ticket.
“French cinema has always been part of Anderson’s artistic heritage and the acclaimed auteur has picked some of his favorite French films to be screened for FI:AF audiences,” the site reads. “The series coincides with the highly anticipated release of Anderson’s star-studded film, ‘The French Dispatch.'”
Calling all cinephiles and francophiles, Anderson’s FI:AF curation certainly should not be missed. And, “The French Dispatch” is a must-see, perfect for a hazy fall Sunday where we can all escape into a European fantasy world of art, passion, and promise.
For more information, visit here.
