For the sixth year, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz presents A Week of French Language Cinema in Los Angeles, as part of the 2015 celebration of Francophonie, with free nightly screenings.
This program is presented in collaboration with the Consulates of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada; the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles; and TV5Monde.
All movies, in French with English subtitles.
Belgium: Monday March 16, Opening night
Short: “Bowling killers” by Sébastien Petit
Feature :”Les âmes de papier » by Vincent Lannoo
“Bowling Killers” 10 min.
In this short comedy, Tony and Simon are bowling champions by passion and hit men by necessity. Before an important match, they have a contract to execute.
Directed by Sébastien Petit
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye6Abrbpnag
“Les âmes de papiers” (Paper Souls) – 90 min.
A funeral speechwriter gets a new lease on life when he is hired by a widow to write a eulogy about her husband. This comedy won the Jury Award for Best Feature at the Stony Brook Film Festival (2014).
Directed by Vincent Lannoo
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_24Rcr6pm
Opening night with reception sponsored by TV5Monde and beer tasting offered by the Belgium Consulate at 7pm. Screening starts at 7:30pm
Ivory Coast: Tuesday March 17
Animation movie “Aya de Yopougon” by Marguerite Abouet.
Screening starts at 7:30pm
“Aya de Yopougon” – 84 min.
Based on the graphic novel Aya of Yop City, the film follows 19-year old Aya who tries to help a friend who gets pregnant. Nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film at the César Awards (2014).
Directed by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2DS28bwTg
Canada: Wednesday March 18
“Félix et Meira” by Maxime Giroux
Screening starts at 7:30pm
“Félix & Meira “- 105 min.
A young married woman from Montreal’s Orthodox Jewish community finds freedom from the strictures of her faith through a relationships with a young man grieving over the death of his estranged father. This drama won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival (2014). Directed by Maxime Giroux
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/105251811
Switzerland: Thursday March 19
Short: “Le Doigt d’honneur” . The director, Malika Pellicioli will attend the screening
Feature: “Left Foot Right Foot” by Germinal Roaux (Some material may be inappropriate for children under 18)
Screening starts at 7:30pm
“Le Doigt d’honneur” (The Finger) – 14 min.
Two brothers, one sister, and their dead father at his funeral. A signet ring that won’t come off of the deceased represents the opportunity to settle scores. Winner of the International Audience Award (Next
Generation) at the Brussels Short Film Festival (2014). The director will be present at the screening. Directed by Malika Pellicioli
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/103251742
“Left Foot Right Foot” – 105 min.
Captures the awkward transition from youth to adulthood as 19-year-old Marie is tempted by luxury and falls slowly into prostitution. Jury Special Mention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (2014). Age restriction: 18+. Directed by Germinal Roaux
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/75700739
Quebec: Friday March 20
“Les maîtres du suspense” by Stéphane Lapointe
Free beer tasting sponsored by Unibroue.Screening starts at 7:30pm
“Les maîtres du suspense” (The Masters of Suspense) – 90 min.
When the longtime ghostwriter for a bestselling author starts to suffer from writer’s block, a second ghostwriter (a childcare educator) is hired in this comedy. Directed by Stéphane Lapointe
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/106595135
France: Saturday March 21, Closing night
Short animation: “Sweet Cocoon” by Matéo Bernard, Matthias Bruget, Jonathan Duret, Manon Marco and Quentin Puiraveau.
Feature:” Respire” by Mélanie Laurent.
Closing reception sponsored by TV5Monde
with wine tasting offered by the French Consulate at 7pm.
Screening starts at 7:30pm
“Sweet Cocoon ” 6 min.
A caterpillar about to undergo her metamorphosis finds her cocoon is much too small to squeeze into. Two helpful insects come to her aid.
Directed by Matéo Bernard, Matthias Bruget, Jonathan Duret, Manon Marco, and Quentin
Puiraveau
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R-u4EORwsc
“Respire” (Breathe) – 91 min.
A tale of two teenage girls who develop an intense and dangerous friendship. In January 2015, the film received three Lumières Award nominations and two César Award nominations. The director is also a well-known French actress (Inglorious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino).
Directed by Mélanie Laurent
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXncAEif-zY
Films are suitable for audiences ages 13 and up unless otherwise noted below. Admission is FREE! This program is presented in collaboration with the Consulates of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada; the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles; TV5Monde; and
Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles. Sponsors are Unibroue, Anthony & Vincent Chalvon- Demersay, and KCRW.
“This collection of short films, features, and animation celebrates the richness and talent in the international Francophone filmmaking community,” says Pierre Leloup, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Director. “This event is part of the celebration of the global 2015 Celebration of La Francophonie, which is held annually around the world in March to recognize French language cultural diversity and dialogue of culture.”
Additional La Francophonie events at TRK in March include Paris-based sextet Les Yeux Noirs In Concert, bringing an infectious Gypsy-Klezmer-Yiddish meld of music to Los Angeles on Saturday, March 7, 2015. TRK’s month long local 2015 Celebration of La Francophonie also includes the play Une Nuit Radieuse (A Radiant Night) by Jean Winiger, about the Swiss- French architect Le Corbusier, on Monday, March 23, 2015. Furthermore, the American artist
Carol Bishop will exhibit Le Corbusier and the Modernist Legacy, a series of photo-paintings that highlight Le Corbusier’s iconic structures. The works will be on view from Monday, March 16 to Monday, March 23, 2015 in the courtyard in front of the theater prior to TRK’s La Francophonie events.
RSVP at rsvp.trk@lyceela.org. PLEASE INDICATE NAME, NUMBER OF SEATS AND DAY(S). You will receive an email confirmation.
Monday and Saturday screenings are SOLD OUT. We are not accepting RSVPS anymore for these evenings. Thank you.
La Francophonie – Every year around the world, March is the official month of La Francophonie, with celebrations in dozens of countries to honor the vibrant global French community. The monthlong festival celebrates the international French speaking populace (referred to by the term La Francophonie). Nearly 11 million people claim French ancestry in the United States, according to the 2010 census, with over 2 million speaking the French language at home. French is an official language in 33 countries on 5 continents. It is the second most commonly studied foreign language in the world with nearly a half billion speakers globally.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents this large international linguistic community and supports projects around the world during the annual Celebration of La Francophonie in March. In addition to sharing a common language, members also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. Its four main missions are:
• to promote the French language and its cultural as well as linguistic diversity
• to promote peace, democracy, and human rights
• to support education, training, higher education, and research
• to develop cooperation for sustainable development.
Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles is located at 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310-286-0553). To learn more about Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, please visit http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com.
