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.

The Sacramento French Film Festival presents an EVENING of FRENCH SHORT FILMS
Saturday February 16th at 7pm at the Asylum Gallery!

We will present an original and assorted program of favorites from previous festival editions as well as French short films never shown before in Sacramento.
This free screening will be followed by wine and pastries. Don't miss it!

PROGRAM

Première Partie

Pigeon by Benoit Gand, 2006 (15 min) – PREMIERE
Jean-Pierre Pigeon is very superstitious. Watch out! He brings luck…
Les Crayons (the Pencils) by Didier Barcelo, 2004 (3 min) – SFFF 2007
A cute little girl is in love with a little boy, but is she as charming and sweet with everybody else?
September 11 by Idrissa Ouedraogo, 2006 (11 min 09) – PREMIERE
Part of the short films collection 11'09''01 - September 11. Right after 9-11, 5 young boys try to capture Osama bin Laden in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).
Le Manteau (The Coat) by Orlanda Laforet, 2006 (8 min) – PREMIERE
Sarah receives a phone call from the Lost & Found Department of Orly airport. They have found a suitcase that was misplaced 10 years ago. Inside the suitcase Sarah finds the coat of her deceased father…
Je suis une voix (One voice, one vote) by Jeanne Paturle & Cecile Rousset, 2006 (13 min 30) – PREMIERE
This film is an encounter between two voices that reflect upon political commitment and its absence.
Meme les pigeons vont au paradis (Even Pidgeons Go To heaven) by Samuel Tourneux and Simon Vanesse, 2006 (8 min 40) – SFFF 2007 – Oscar® Nominee (Animated Shorts). A priest tries to sell an old man a machine that, he promises, will transport him to heaven.

ENTRACTE

Deuxième Partie

Bonne nuit Malik (Good Night Malik) by Bruno Danan, 2006 (15 min) – PREMIERE
Malik lives with Bilal, his younger brother. They're both preoccupied with their work. Malik is working on a trial basis at a private club while Bilal must write a poem for school.

Le Portefeuille (The Wallet) by Vincent Bierrewaerts, 2003 (10 min 30) – SFFF 2005
One day, a man finds a wallet in the street. Or maybe he does not… He decides to give the wallet back to its owner or maybe he prefers to keep it…

Le Mozart des pickpockets by Philippe Pollet-Villart, 2006 (30 min 30) – SFFF 2007 – Oscar® Nominee 2008 (Live Action Shorts).
A pair of unlucky thieves find their fortunes have changed when they take in a deaf homeless boy. Grand Prix & Audience Prize - International Short Film Festival Clermont Ferrand 2007