The SACRAMENTO FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

The FRENCH AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY

& The CULTURAL SERVICES - FRENCH CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Present
a FREE SCREENING of L'ESQUIVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & THEIR TEACHERS

The Consulate General of France in San Francisco in collaboration with the Sacramento French Film Festival and the French American Cultural Society introduces this year a new free program designed to expose high school French students in the Sacramento region to the wonderful culture of France through film. The program also aims to broaden insights into other cultures, enhance foreign language aptitude, develop skills for critical analysis of film, and inspire a lifelong appreciation of cinema. Over the past years, the Consulate has successfully organized similar screenings in the Bay area and in Seattle, in collaboration with the San Francisco Film Society and the Seattle International Film Festival Group. We hope that this first screening will be the start of a new annual tradition here in Sacramento.

L’Esquive (Games of Love & Chance) directed by Abdellatif Kechiche

High school kids rehearse a play by the 18th-century playwright Marivaux. As in the play, the kids' real life is charged with love, betrayal, jealousy, suffering, and arguments. The emotions haven't changed; only the way they are expressed is different. L'Esquive follows a group of teenagers, poor and immigrant for the most part. Krimo (Osman Elkharraz), whose dad is in prison, leaves his long-time girlfriend to pursue Lydia (Sara Forestier), a petulant girl who plays the lead role. Although he has no theater experience, his infatuation leads him to take the part of Arlequin to play opposite Lydia – making a fool of himself in the process. Arguments among the group quickly surface as Krimo's sudden love interest turns into a source of gossip and tension.

L'Esquive reveals a lot about France's multi-ethnic youth culture but it is almost more about verbal communication as Kechiche shows the contrast between Marivaux's literary language and the teenagers' rich and meaningful slang.

L'Esquive received four « César » (French Academy Awards) in 2005, including best picture, best director, best screenplay and best new talent for Sara Forestier.

Rating: Not Rated (language & drug use)

Screening for High School Students – Recommended for Grades: 11-12. Teachers are encouraged to bring students who will be able to handle the film’s language and style.

Reviews of the film:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2005/08/31/movies/31lesq.html

http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0535,ng,67305,20.html

This year’s program will also include a great short film to introduce the feature movie.