Sneak peek of ‘The Artist,’ ‘Captive’ for local cineastes

FILIPINO and foreign actors endure a difficult shoot in Brillante Mendoza’s “Captive.”

Aptly, the Citi-Rustan’s French Film Festival, now on its 17th year, will present 17 films, directed by award winners and international fest regulars, at the Shangri-La Plaza mall from June 7 to 17. (The Cebu leg of the fest is from June 21 to 23 at the Ayala Center.)

The audience of the French fest has been growing steadily through the years. Martin Macalintal, audiovisual attaché of the French embassy, related that last year’s edition gathered “15,000 viewers in 10 days.”

Organizers hope that this year’s fest will exceed previous editions—especially since Pioneer Films and Institut Français have drafted a formidable lineup of contemporary French films.

OLIVIER Assayas’ “Les Destinées Sentimentales”

“Most of the films were released within the last three years,” explained Christian Merer, counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs. “We have selected different kinds of films, from various genres: Drama, comedy, romance, action, suspense.”

Most of these French filmmakers (Jacques Doillon, Jacquot Benoit, Amos Gitaï, François Ozon) have made waves in A-list festivals like Cannes, Berlin and Venice, said Merer.

ASSAYAS’ “Clean,” starring ex-wife Maggie Cheung

Some of the films have won in San Sebastian (Ozon’s “Le Refuge”), Cesar (Geraldine Nakache and Herve Mimran’s “Tout Ce Qui Brille”) and Montreal (Emmanuel Mouret’s “L’art d’Aimer”).

Most-awarded

But the most-awarded and acclaimed movie in the list is the opening film, Michel Hazanivicius’ “The Artist”—winner of one Cannes honor, three Golden Globes, five Oscars and six Cesars.

FRANÇOIS Ozon’s “Le Refuge”

At press time, there will only be three screenings of “The Artist” (two in Manila and one in Cebu) during the fest.

Organizers expect that “The Artist” will be one of the most sought-after films in the fest. Not only because the fest is for free, but because it might be the only opportunity for the public to catch the Oscar winner.

It is still uncertain whether “The Artist” will have a theatrical run in the country. The fest’s opening on June 7 is invitational. The organizers wish to remind the public that guests will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis in the public screenings.

OSCAR winner: “The Artist”

Also scheduled during the fest is an invitational sneak preview on June 9 of Brillante Mendoza’s “Captive,” the country’s entry to this year’s Berlin fest. Top-billed by French actress Isabelle Huppert, the indie film will have a theatrical run in the country in September, courtesy of local distributor Star Cinema.

Since Philippine Independence Day falls within the festival’s run, Filipino filmmakers, who were invited to French fests in the past, will be featured, too.

Among the Filipino films that will be shown in the fest are: Adolfo Alix Jr. and Raya Martin’s “Manila” (Cannes Official Selection 2009), Auraeus Solito’s “Busong” (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2011), Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s short films “Au Revoir Philippe” and “Little” (One Country One Film Festival) and Ralston Jover’s “Bakal Boys” (Asian Connection fest in Lyon in 2010).

SIGRID Andrea Bernardo’s short film, “Little”

Jover is the only Filipino in this year’s Cannes—with his coming project “The Dog Show,” included in the Cinefondation Atelier.

Centerpiece of the fest is a retrospective of the works of Olivier Assayas—a Rotterdam and Sitges winner. Seven of Assayas’ films will be shown: “L’Eau Froide,” “Irma Vep,” “HHH: Portrait de Hou Hsiao-hsien,” “Les  Destinees Sentimentales,” “Demonlover,” “Clean” and “L’Heure d’Ete.”

Assayas will grace the fest and conduct a master class at the UP Film Institute (June 7), meet with local directors at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (June 8) and attend a screening at the Shangri-La mall (June 9).

Another French filmmaker, Stéphane Rybojad, director of the controversial action film “Special Forces,” will likewise attend the fest, upon the invitation of Pioneer Films. The “Special Forces” premiere is set at the SM Mall of Asia on June 8.