‘Lingua Franca’ a favorite film among arthouse cinemas in France

“Lingua Franca”

Isabel Saldoval’s “Lingua Franca,” which will be shown in France nationwide starting March 18, has been selected as a Coeur des Cinémas Art et Essai, having been voted as a favorite film by the national arthouse cinemas association in the said western European state.

According to one of its producers, Darlene Malimas, this means that with the recommendation of the Association Française des Cinémas d’Art et d’Essai, the film will also be given a special promotional push and visibility—in French magazines like the Télérama—leading up to its France-wide release.

“The Coup de Coeur des Cinémas Art et Essai stamp has truly helped us in our campaign leading to the theatrical release,” Malimas told Inquirer Entertainment.

She added that “Lingua Franca” is now listed on the mobile app of Cinemas Pathé Gaumont, the top theater chain there. “Also interesting to note [is the fact that] we’re playing at one of Paris’ best and coolest arthouse cinemas next month, alongside (independent film directors) Todd Haynes and Nicolas Roeg, the Cine Le Grand Action,” she said.

Malimas coproduced “Lingua Franca” with Jhett Tolentino, Carlo Velayo and New York-based director Sandoval. In September 2019, the team signed a French distribution deal with Paris-based distributor JHR Films, whose founder, Jane Roger, said she was “drawn to the timely and authentic nature” of the film.

Paris-based Luxbox is handling the film’s international sales.

“Lingua Franca,” which carries the title “Brooklyn Secret” in France, features Sandoval as a Filipino transgender immigrant named Olivia. Desperate to acquire a green card so she can stay in the United States and avoid deportation, she gets involved with a Russian slaughterhouse worker who’s unaware that she is trans. —Marinel Cruz