Cinefranco Mixes It Up

COMME UN CHEF/THE CHEF
APRIL 11, 8:40 PM, ROYAL CINEMA, 608 Carlton
Director: Daniel Cohen
Country: France
Cast: Michaël Youn, Jean Reno, Raphaëlle Agogué, Julien Boisselier
Language: French, subtitled in english
Runtime: 85mn
Year: 2012
Awards: Festival International du Film de Comédie de l’Alpe d’Huez 2012 ; Festival du Film francophone à Vienne 2012 ; Berlinale 2012 : Culinary Cinema
Rating: G



An amuse-bouche of a film starring, Jean Reno as a famous chef, being challenged to create gastronomic cuisine based on molecular technology (taken to extremes here!) and Michael Youn as a cook whose sensitive palate is offended by the pedestrian demands of diners. A formula film that succeeds based on the adage that if "it ain't broke, why fix it?" You know exactly where this film is taking you, and menues are a feast for the eyes, so relax follow where its lead. A perfect film for those who want to step into the waters of viewing foreign films.





THE QUEEN OF MONTREUIL
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 9:00 PM, ROYAL CINEMA, 608 Carlton
Director: Solveig Anspach
Country: France
Cast: Florence Loiret-Caille, Didda Jonsdottir, Samir Guesmi
Language: French, subtitled in english
Runtime: 87mn
Year: 2011
Awards: Mostra de Venise 2012 : Prix Lina Mangicapre ; Golden Horse Film Festival de Taïpei 2012 ; Reykjavik International Film Festival 2011: RIFF Audience Award
Rating: 14A



Those who know of my love of Nordic films, will understand why the word "Icelanders" jumped out at me when I read the description of this film. Quirky, with a soupcon of melancholia, this film about a widow who takes in two Icelanders in economic distress, draws you in with its unpretentious performances, and fascinating contrasts. The injection of Jamaican references, was an unexpected twist that, although somewhat stereotypical, nevertheless points to France as an increasingly multi-cultural country, where immigrants connect with others within and beyond the French borders.






FEMME ECRITE/WRITTEN WOMAN
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1:30 PM, ROYAL CINEMA, 608 Carlton
Director: Lahcen Zinoun* director in attendance
Country: Morocco
Cast: Fatym Layachi, Isma El Kanatir, Abdelkrim Cheddati
Language: Arabic, subtitled in english
Runtime: 87mn
Year: 2012
Awards: Festival national du film marocain de Tanger 2012 : Meilleur scénario/ Meilleur son
Rating: R


For those who enjoy poetic films that play with the imagination, then this is the film for you. It's the story of an anthropologist and his fascination for a Berber poet, Mririda, and Adjou, a prostitute whose intriguing tattoos further enraptures his senses and need to understand the secrets of woman. Lillia Sellami's beautiful cinematography and Wolfgang Funk's original score, perfectly captures the elusive eroticism and strength of the feminine mystique.







CINEFRANCO: FRANCOPHONE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
APRIL 5 - 14
THE ROYAL CINEMA
608 COLLEGE STREET
TICKETS: http://2013.cinefranco.com/index.php/en/tickets
Cash Sales only at the door