French Film Festival takes center stage at SM Cinema

The Embassy of France to the Philippines, in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, is staging the 27th edition of the French Film Festival at SM Aura Cinema from November 22 to 26, and at SM City North EDSA Cinema from November 22 to 29, 2024. Admission is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Experience the magic of French cinema at the 27th French Film Festival, showing from November 22 to 29, at SM Aura and SM City North EDSA with free admission.

For the first time in its history, the French Film Festival will feature Feminist Cinema with a cross-cultural perspective between France and the Philippines through a selection of films by the new generation of French and Filipina women directors.

Prodigieuses (Prodigies) follows twin pianists as they fight an illness and compete for a soloist spot, relying on their love for music and family to change their fate.

Prodigieuses (Prodigies) follows twin pianists as they fight an illness and compete for a soloist spot, relying on their love for music and family to change their fate.

Une Histoire d’Amour et de Désir (A Tale of Love and Desire) tells the story of a French-Algerian student who falls deeply in love with a passionate Tunisian girl, while exploring a new world of intimate Arab literature.

Seize Printemps (Spring Blossom) chronicles the life of 16-year-old Suzanne, who finds love and purpose in an unexpected place—with an older man who shares her longing for something more.

Slalom is about Lyz, a ski prodigy at a prestigious school, who rises under the mentorship of former champion Fred, but soon finds herself trapped under his controlling influence.

Sous le Ciel d’Alice (Skies of Lebanon) is a poignant love story set in 1950s Lebanon, where a young woman’s idyllic life is shattered by the onset of civil war.

France is an advocate of gender equality in international forums and wants this to be taken into account in all issues, including cinema, which has the power to influence culture. With this, the French government delivers this commitment through its feminist diplomacy, initiated in 2018.

Rien à Foutre (No F*cks Given) chronicles the life of a flight attendant whose carefree lifestyle unravels after she loses her job and must confront the life she has been avoiding.

Fragile centers on an oyster farmer who hides a ring in an oyster to propose to his girlfriend, but when she says no, his friends rally to help him heal.

Marinette revolves around the life of football star Marinette Pichon, who fought for women’s rights in sport while overcoming the challenges of coming out in an era with limited lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) rights.

A selection of 14 French feature films showcasing recent and heritage French films will offer a platform for promoting French culture, as well as cultural diversity. Special screenings will also be held at the Alliance Française de Manille, University of the Philippines Film Institute, and De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.

Le Ravissement (The Rapture) follows a midwife, experiencing a breakup, who is drawn into a deceitful journey after crossing paths with a one-night stand while carrying her best friend’s baby.

Mon Héroïne (My Heroine) is about Alex, a Hollywood dreamer who defies her overprotective mother to pursue her film career in New York, where an adventure with her aunt and mother brings them closer together.

Les Femmes au Balcon (The Balconettes) centers on three women during a heatwave, entangled in an affair with their neighbor, trapped by their fantasies and yearning for freedom.

This year, the festival’s “godmother” will be Filipina director Sigrid Bernardo, who will open the event with a roundtable discussion on the status of women through cinema on November 22 at the SM Aura Cinema Director’s Club. A special screening of Bernardo’s short film “May at Nila,” a love story between two Filipino women during the Japanese Occupation, will be held prior to the roundtable discussion.

Le Comte de Montecristo (The Count of Monte Cristo) follows Edmond Dantès, wrongfully imprisoned on his wedding day, who escapes after 14 years and returns as the vengeful Count, determined to punish the men who betrayed him.

Quand Vient l’Automne (When Fall is Coming) tells the story of Michelle’s peaceful retirement in Burgundy, which is disrupted when her daughter Valérie arrives with her son Lucas, and nothing goes as planned.

Annie Colère (Angry Annie) is about Annie, a working mother in 1974 rural France, who unexpectedly becomes pregnant and joins the Movement for the Liberation of Abortion and Contraception, finding new purpose in the fight for women’s rights.

A special guest – French director Noémie Lefort – has been invited to the Philippines for the occasion. She will present her movie “My Heroin,” based on her own story about a young girl who dreams of directing a film in Hollywood. She will take part in a roundtable discussion at SM City North EDSA Cinema on November 26 about the place of women in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera, alongside prominent women involved in the Philippine film industry. She will also give a masterclass on film directing to film students at the University of the Philippines. 

Discover the allure of French cinema at SM Aura Cinema from November 22-26, 2024.

Celebrate the art of French cinema with inspiring films, happening from November 22-29, 2024, at SM City North EDSA Cinema.

The 27th French Film Festival – Feminist is organized by SM Supermalls, SM Cinema, Embassy of France, Alliance Française de Manille, Institut Français, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

For further information about the French Film Festival, follow @smcinema and @smsupermalls on social media.

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This article is brought to you by SM Supermalls.