IFI French Film Festival Opening Weekend

The Opening of this year's IFI French Film Festival is now only a matter of days away and the IFI is gearing up for what promises to be an excellent 10 days and nights of the best French cinema. With tickets selling fast and numerous guests about to arrive, the time is nearly upon us to immerse ourselves in the finest French film...

Depardieu in Mammuth

This year's Festival offers over 20 Irish premieres, and the Opening Weekend offers two new films starring the formidable Gerard Depardieu. My Afternoons with Margueritte is the latest offering from Jean Becker (a Festival guest in 2008) about the unlikely friendship between Germain (Depardieu) and Margueritte (96 year old Gisele Casadesus) which screens on Friday, 19th November at 17.15. In Mammuth, Depardieu stars as Serge who, on retiring, takes to the road on his old motorbike in search of paperwork from former employers that will allow him to claim full benefits. A road movie with a difference, it allows for frequently hilarious and bizarre encounters along the way. Both Depardieu films are selling very fast, so advance booking is highly recommended.

Michel Ciment

The first of our Festival guests arrives in on Friday. Acclaimed French critic Michel Ciment will introduce Chicks (La Vie au ranch), the first of three films by first-time directors in a new strand at the Festival. Sophie Letourneur's film focuses on the hectic social lives of a group of female college students and revolves around the apartment in which they live. Michel will also be in attendance at at the screening of Michel Ciment: The Art of Sharing Movies (Michel Ciment, le cinema en partage) on Saturday 20th November at 14.30 and will participate in a post-screening Q&A. The film gives a fascinating insight into a man who never lost his passion for film, and includes tributes from figures like Tavernier and Tarantino. This Q&A is a great opportunity to hear the esteemed critic talk about his life and work.

John Boorman

Another guest in our opening weekend will be John Boorman, director of acclaimed films such as Deliverance and The General. John Boorman: A Portrait (Un portrait de John Boorman) is  a fascinating documentary providing insights into Boorman's motivations and the recurring themes in his work. Following the film (Sunday November 21st at 18.00), John Boorman will participate in a Q&A with our other Festival guests, Michel Ciment. 

Making Plans for Lena

Another film not-to-be-missed this weekend is Christophe Honore's Making Plans for Lena (Non ma fille, tu n'iras pas danser) which was specifically written for actress Chiara Mastroianni (star of the sell-out 2008 Festival Closing Film A Christmas Tale/Un conte de Noel). Mastroianna excels once again, this time as the mother of two retreating to her family home after the break-up of her marriage.

This is just a sample of some of the Opening Weekend films and events at this year's IFI French Film Festival. Be warned, films are selling out fast, so book soon to avoid disappointment. If you still can't decide which films to choose, don't forget that you can also avail of our special Festival packages; €40 for 5 films and €70 for 11.

The IFI Café Bar will also be transforming for the 10 days and nights of the Festival. With changing daily specials and discounted offers, be sure to reserve your table on 01 679 8712.

The full Festival programme can be found here.

A bientot!

Ross Keane

Head of Marketing & Communications