Unleash your emotions and laugh, cry, and fall in love with French cinema as curtains rise for the French Film Festival 2017!
Feast your eyes on the stellar and diverse line-up of 16 compelling films comprising of top box office hits and a spotlight on some of the classics works by French cinema legend Jeanne Moreau. From riveting action thrillers, uproarious comedies, to heart-warming dramas and children’s films – experience French cinema in Singapore as it serves up stories of love, loss, fear and hope that will tug the heartstrings of every movie goer.
Guest of Honour, director and producer Boo Junfeng, reveals his top picks for French Film Festival 2017:
“Dear friends of the Cinema,
Ready to join us to experience new lands, cultures and people? The cinema world is an exploration of curiosities. It helps us to uncover the rich diversities across the world, and yet also brings us together through common passions and universal themes in life.
The line-up for this year’s French Film Festival is an eclectic selection from the best of French Cinema. From modern award winners to a tribute to the late movie legend Jeanne Moreau, irreverent comedies to sci-fi thrillers, tales of love and loss, there is a film for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.
On behalf of the French Embassy and Alliance Française in Singapore, I thank all our partners whose precious support furthers the Festival’s effort to introduce French film art to a wider audience. I particularly want to acknowledge Shaw Theatres who will be screening some of the selection films commercially in their theatres post festival. This reflects its commitment towards diversity in cinema and artistic excellence, and we will continue to support their efforts to provide Singaporeans with more opportunities to indulge in their love affair for French films.
This year, our Festival Ambassador is Singapore film director Boo Junfeng. A recipient of the Aide aux Cinémas du Monde which supports great and aspiring cinema talents in the world, his most recent work Apprentice was also lauded in Cannes Film Festival in 2016. He is no stranger to French cinema and we are very happy to have him on board.
Finally, I would like to welcome our French cinema ambassadors who have come all the way from Paris to present their films in Singapore and meet with the public – namely director David Moreau who will be introducing us to his sci-fi fantasy film Alone (Seuls); as well as director Cédric Klapisch and actress Ana Girardot who will present the evocative drama Back to Burgundy (Ce Qui Nous Lie).
Now hold on to the edge of your seats as the curtain rises – be curious and enjoy the festival.”
His Excellency Marc Abensour
Ambassador of France to Singapore
“French cinema has given me so much. Growing up in Singapore, where movie theatres are dominated by Hollywood films, it was through the eyes of auteur masters like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut that I got to know the world better.
I have also been a beneficiary of the great film festivals of France – the short films in the earlier years of my filmmaking journey have been in competition at Clermont-Ferrand, and my feature films have both premiered in Cannes. I have experienced first-hand the French audience’s love for movies from everywhere and I have always wished that more people at home in Singapore would also have access to a diverse range of films.
I am therefore very pleased to be a part of this year’s French Film Festival. Its impressive line-up is wide-ranging and has something to offer for everyone. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to come experience it in the cinemas.”
Boo Junfeng
French Film Festival Guest of Honor