French Film Festival 2023 filled with more variety than ever; heck, there’s even a zombie movie! Plus, win double in-season passes
Back in the day when I’d frequent a lot of indie theatre, I’d more often than not be drawn to French films.
There’s something about French film culture that connotes an independent spirit, a certain spunk, even the occasional ‘joie de vivre’. If one event is to exemplify these three qualities and more, it’s the Alliance Française French Film Festival.
When you think of quality international films, you usually think of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, which is packed this year with one of the most diverse programs ever seen.
The festival arrives in Perth from March 8 and runs until April 5, covering just about every genre of film and every aspect of brilliant film-making. Various screenings will take place at Luna Leederville, Luna On SX, Windsor Cinema, Luna Outdoor, and Camelot Outdoor.
‘Masquerade’: dangerous liaisons amid dreamy landscapes.
Opening the festival will be director Nicolas Bedos’ Masquerade – an oh-so-French drama starring Pierre Niney, Isabelle Adjani and Marine Vacth that transports cinemagoers to the dreamy shores of Côte d’Azur.
Closing the festival on a bittersweet high, is a road trip of sublime joy and tears in Didier Barcelo’s Freestyle, featuring rising star Benjamin Voisin and the enchanting Marina Foïs.
‘Freestyle’, featuring Benjamin Voisin and Marina Foïs.
In between are slices of glamour, drama, comedy, thriller, and even horror, with one of my favourite picks being the zombie comedy, Coupez! (or Final Cut!). This French remake of the 2017 Japanese film One Cut of the Dead revolves around a movie crew remaking the film depicted in the original film, with the wonderful Yoshiko Takehara reprising her role as a producer. Since zombie movies already border on the surreal, this one – being a film made within a film – is twice as twisted!
Final Cut! In more ways than one!
Speaking on the festival’s imminent arrival, Karine Mauris, Festival Artistic Director and Cultural Attachée to the French Embassy in Australia, said: “2023 represents our most dynamic program to-date. The hilarity of a meta-zombie comedy, suspenseful thrillers and historical dramas will have you clinging to the edge of your seat.”
Adds Mauris, “There’s be family-friendly flicks and, of course, l’amour in all its forms!”
With more than 153,000 spectators attending the Alliance Française French Film Festival in 2022, this year’s festival looks like drawing an even bigger, more diverse and enthusiastic crowd.
Check out the full program including dates and venues, and (as the French might say) profite du spectacle!
Antonino Tati
COMPETITION!
Courtesy of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, Cream has three (3) in-season double passes to give away. To try winning a double pass tell us which film from the program here looks like one you’d love to see and key the words ‘French Film Festival’ in the Subject heading. It’s that simple. Send your response to cream@pobox.com no later than 5pm AWST, Tuesday 28th February. Winners will be notified on Wednesday 1st March.
CREAM MAGAZINE 
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