Academy of Arts presents French film festival in May

Hawaii Independent Staff

The Honolulu Academy of Arts will present “Cinematheque Francaise: New + Classic French Films” at the Doris Duke Theater from May 21 to 31. The film Potiche makes its Hawaii premiere, starring French film icons Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu. Five other films will make their Hawaii premiere as well, including the critically acclaimed picture Mozart’s Sister.

The film festival will feature an opening night reception with a prix-fixe, six-item buffet by EAT Catering & Café and an accordion serenade by Pierre Grill. Dinners must be purchased through www.tix.com.

To enhance the film experience, the Academy will also offer a special tour of works by French masters, including Monet, Gaugin, Matisse, and Delacroix. Call (808) 532-8700 for reservations.

TICKET INFORMATION

French Film Festival Flash pass: 8 films or 8 screenings (not including opening night film)—$40 for members; $55 non-members.

Special premiere price: The six Hawai‘i premieres cost $10 for non-members; $9 seniors, students, military; $8 for members
Regular film price: Evening screenings: $8.50 adults; $7.50 seniors, students and military; $5 Academy members. Matinee screenings: $8 adults; $7 seniors, students and military; $5 Academy members.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE


May 21 at 7:30pm

Hawaii Premiere: Potiche
Director: François Ozon
France, 2010, 103 mins
In French with English subtitles

Acclaimed writer-director François Ozon twists a 1980 hit comic play on its head to create his own satirical, hilarious take on the war between the sexes and classes. Potiche stars Catherine Deneuve as Suzanne Pujol, a submissive trophy wife (or “potiche”). When her tyrannical husband is taken hostage by striking workers at the umbrella factory he runs, Suzanne takes control. Gérard Depardieu plays a former union leader and Suzanne’s still-burning ex-flame. Official Selection: Venice Film Festival 2010, Toronto International Film Festival 2010.

May 22 at 1 + 4pm

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Director: Jacques Demy
France, 1964, 91 mins
In French with English subtitles

Catherine Deneuve shines as young beauty Geneviève in the candy-colored musical that shot her to international fame. When Geneviève falls for rough-around-the-edges mechanic Guy (Nino Castelnuovo), much to the disapproval of her well-to-do mother, he is suddenly called up for military service in Algeria. Jacques Demy’s classic tale of star-crossed love rivals any MGM great, glistening with super-stylish costume design, stunning choreography and an epic score. Winner of the Palme D’Or at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.

May 22 at 7:30pm; May 29 at 7:30pm

Hawaii Premiere: Mozart’s Sister
Director: René Féret
France, 2010, 120 mins.
In French with English subtitles

Did you know Mozart had an older—and equally talented—sister? In this speculative account of Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart (Marie Féret), she has given way to Wolfgang as the main attraction. Forbidden to play the violin or compose, Nannerl chafes at the limitations imposed on her gender. But a friendship with the son and daughter of Louis XV offers an alternative. Official Selection: Chicago International Film Festival 2010, Palm Springs, International Film Festival 2011, New York Rendez Vous with French Cinema, 2011. Special premiere tickets at $10 for non-members; $9 students, seniors, military; $8 members.

May 22 at 7:30pm before the screening of Mozart’s Sister

Pre-screening concert: Mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin and pianist Jennifer Taira

Mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin, whom New York Times music critic Anthony Tommasini has praised for her “compelling artistry,” sings Ch’io mi scrodi de te, K. 505, considered to be one of Mozart’s greatest arias for soprano, piano obbligato and orchestra. Award-winning clarinetist and pianist Jennifer Taira recently gave a career-making solo performance with the Burbank Philharmonic. Taira, who is from Mililani and resides in New York, is co-founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Ohana Arts, a new performing arts festival and school in Hawaii.

May 24 at 1 + 7:30pm

Pickpocket
Director: Robert Bresson
France, 1959, 75 mins.
In French with English subtitles

Robert Bresson’s classic tale of crime and redemption follows the daily trials of Michel, a young Parisian pickpocket who spends his days perfecting his craft on the streets, subway cars, and in train stations. As his success grows, he begins to worry that his luck is about to run out—yet Michel remains chained to his compulsion.

May 25 at 1 + 7:30pm

Hawaii Premiere: Severn, The Voice of our Children
Director: Jean-Paul Jaud
France, 2010, 120 mins.
In French, English and Japanese
with English subtitles

In 1992, 12-year-old Severn Suzuki, daughter of famed scientist and nature-show host David Suzuki, spoke at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero and urged world leaders to take action on environmental change. Nearly 20 years later, a pregnant Suzuki reflects on what has happened since she made that speech in this beautiful, thoughtful examination of the effects of environmental policy. It is a reminder that parents must answer for the world being left for their children. Official Selection: Vancouver International Film Festival, 2010. Special premiere tickets at $10 for non-members; $9 senior, students, military; $8 members.

May 26 at 1pm, May 28 at 1 + 4pm

Ridicule
Director: Patrice Leconte
France, 1996, 102 mins.
In French with English subtitles

In this whip-smart period comedy a provincial nobleman travels to the court of Louis XVI in Versailles to beg for help in ridding his village of disease-carrying mosquitoes. His plans are diverted when he is swept up by romance and court politics. To survive Versailles, where a quick wit is the currency of power, he must rely on his savvy and savage tongue. Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival and winner of four César Awards.

May 27 at 7:30pm; May 28 at 7:30pm

Hawaii Premiere: The Princess of Montpensier
Director: Bertrand Tavernier
France, 2010, 139 minutes
In French with English subtitles

Acclaimed filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (Round Midnight ) directs a spectacular cast in this lush, romantic drama (based on the novel by Mme de la Fayette) set in the high courts of 16th-century France. Against the backdrop of the brutal Catholic/Protestant wars, the beautiful Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry) finds herself married to a young prince (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet) she does not love, haunted by a rakish suitor from her childhood, and advised by an aging nobleman harboring his own forbidden desire for her. The princess struggles to stay alive in this corrupt web of duty, passion, religion and war. Official Selection: Chicago International Film Festival 2010, London International Film Festival 2010, New York Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, 2011. Special premiere tickets at $10 for non-members; $9 seniors, students, military; $8 for members.

May 26 at 7:30pm, May 27 at 1pm,
May 29 at 1 + 4pm

Hawaii Premiere: Service Entrance
Directed by Philippe Le Guay
France, 2011, 104 mins.
In French with English subtitles

In 1960s Paris, stockbroker Jean-Louis Joubert and his socialite wife live a quiet, conventional middle-class existence in an elegant building. When his wife hires a Spanish maid, who joins five other exuberant señoritas in the servants’ quarters on the building’s sixth floor, the Jouberts’ world is turned upside down. New York Press calls it “an utterly and devastatingly charming film.” Special premiere tickets at $10 for non-members; $9 seniors, students, military; $8 for members.

May 31 at 1 & 7:30pm

Hawaii Premiere: The Hedgehog (Le Hérisson)
Director: Mona Achache
France, 2010, 98 mins.
In French with English subtitles.

The Hedgehog is a touching existentialist comedy featuring the colorful residents of an upper-crust Parisian apartment building. At the center of it all is Paloma, an 11-year-old (often hilarious) cynic who doesn’t plan on reaching 12. But as her appointment with death approaches, she meets two kindred spirits—her building’s grumpy concierge and an enigmatic, elegant neighbor—who inspire Paloma to question her pessimistic outlook on life. Winner of four awards at the Cairo International Film Festival 2009 (Best Director, FIPRESCI Prize, Silver Pyramid, Special Award). Palm Springs International Film Festival. Special premiere tickets at $10 for non-members; $9 seniors, students, military; $8 for members