Immerse yourself in French culture this November with a cracking line-up of French movies, and experience all the gems shown at the French Cinepanorama!
We love to check out live music and local museums, as well as catching up with our reading lists and the best TV shows and movies. So we are really excited about the 46th Hong Kong French Film Festival (aka French Cinepanorama) that will be getting underway soon. Alliance Française is dedicated to promoting quality French films, and this year’s edition dives into three main themes. Find out what we’re looking forward to.
The 46th Hong Kong French Film Festival
For 2017, the festival is divided into three main themes: Identity, sexuality and diversity; Origin, family and dreams; and Artists throughout history. From documentaries to great animated films and LGBT-oriented movies, don’t miss out on seeing some great cinema this month.
Identity, sexuality and diversity
Good films always play a vital role in raising public awareness on problematic social issues and systematic failure, and French cinema does this particularly well. 120 Beats Per Minutes, one of the highlights of the festival, taps into homosexuality and the devastation of AIDS epidemic back in the 80s, so if you haven’t seen it already, you should definitely add it to your schedule.
Reinventing Marvin is a queer coming-of-age story that speaks to all teenagers confused with their own sexuality and gender identity, while another critically-acclaimed film Lola Pater tells the story of a son reuniting and reconnecting with his long-lost transgender father. This selection of films demonstrates a real diversity that is often overlooked in Hollywood blockbusters, and we can’t wait to see them.
Origin, family and dreams
Another major theme for this year’s French Cinepanorama is family unity and fragility. Back to Burgundy is a story about how three siblings patch things up over their dying father in their family vineyards, and it’s profoundly moving. On 22 and 25 November, director Cédric Klapisch and leading actress Ana Girardot will also be present at the screenings, so you can get up-close-and-personal.
Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s The Price of Success is another highlight to look out for. Depicting the simulacrum of success and power of a comedy star, whilst geniusly ridiculing people in the showbiz industry – this could just be our pick of the Hong Kong French Film Festival 2017.
The lives of legendary artists in history
Anyone who is interested in French New Wave will recognise the name Jean-Luc Godard. Michel Hazanavicius’ Redoubtable unveils how the internationally-renowned filmmaker turned from a star director to a Maoist artist – an outsider. It’s a must-watch for fans of French cinema. Other artists that will also be illustrated and put on screen include: The French post-Impressionist artist Gauguin; the French singer Barbara; the talented French sculptor Rodin; and the French jazz guitarist Django. Don’t miss out on this great variation of biographical films.
The humour in French animation
French movies are often praised for their deep and dark humour, and that includes the country’s animated offerings. Zombillenium skillfully discusses the drudgery of day-to-day life through representations of zombies and humans working in the park; while another selected animation Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is more child-friendly – think adorable anthropomorphic animals – yet still delivers a meaningful message for grown-ups.
The 46th Hong Kong French Film Festival will be held from 22 November to 10 December at 7 different locations. There’s something for everyone; see you there.
See the 46th Hong Kong French Film Festival full line-up here
Looking for more fun things to do in Hong Kong? Eat at the best Thai restaurants in Wan Chai, take your friends to these karaoke bars or have a fun night out at the best gay bars in town.
