fun with french films, for the seventh time

For the weekend of Valentine's Day, the 7th Annual Francophone Film Festival was here for its three-day homestand.
Just because of when it was held, let's not presume the five films were all romantic period pieces - oh, no, not hardly! Each did have some aspect of love which played a part, as in most human endeavors, but the movies were not love-centric.
This film festival, which I have enjoyed since its inception in 2009, doesn't seem to generate much publicity. My friend Jim Reed concurs, calling it an "under the radar...grassroots showcase".
Perhaps that "grassroots" aspect is the reason for the continued low attendance. I think the French Club at Armstrong should try a little social media involvement. Facebook! Twitter! Stir some folks up!
Still, I was there! I have been each night, too.
I even brought my friend, Barbara, who also enjoys a wide variety of cinematic offerings. She truly is a kindred spirit! In fact, she had been the one to contact me to make sure I was going on that opening-night Thursday.
Of course I was going!
How could I not?
I was unable to stay for the reception, as I had other commitments. But I had been looking forward to "Le Herisson" ("The Hedgehog"), that first feature of the festival. I'm glad I was there, too! It was billed as the story of an eleven-year-old precocious girl, who had vowed to die on her twelfth birthday. Au contraire, mon frer! The story involved the girl, yes, but was actually about the concierge's widow. The film was a romance about reawakening to life.
Of course I cried.
The lead character was much like me: mid-50's, graying, overweight. Unlike me, she was fairly invisible, living out her days alone, surrounded by those she served.
Then change arrived, literally on her doorstep.
Yeah, I want that.
I had voiced that same desire two years ago, after a dance scene in "L'affaire Farewell". That film was part of the Fifth Francophone Film Festival. And, as I was watching, I said, aloud, "I want that."
Yeah, a girl can most definitely dream...

Back to this year's screenings!
On Friday, Barbara missed the first one. Lucky her, as I told her when she arrived during the break between films. Truly, it was quite taxing to sit through the angst-ridden saga of tenement teens with a penchant for pornographic language. "L'esquive", made in 2003, was set in the Parisian slums for immigrants. Lydia, Frida, and Rachid are going to be in a famous 18th-century comedic play about class struggle and love, "Le Jeu de l'amour et du hasard" ("The Game of Love and Chance").
Enter Krimo, a lost soul in search of love, but unwilling to risk himself. He briefly joins the cast of the play, but soon bows out, unable to discern reality from acting. We see him dodging (l'esquive) his classmates continually afterward.
The film was rather sad, except for one (almost) redeeming note: the students in the play grew closer and more able to communicate without resorting to constant cursing.
Seriously, it was harsh.
The second film of the evening was definitely more to my liking. "Une Femme Pas Comme Les Autres", a 2009 film from the small African nation Burkina Faso, explores a wealthy woman's options when she catches her husband cheating on her with the neighbor's wife. She decides to take a second husband, saying she is trying to get pregnant and her current husband has not been successful in that area. She also anonymously informs the neighbor about his wife's shenanigans.
Let the fun begin!
Barbara liked it, too. As divorced women who had cheating husbands, we found Mina's solution deliciously diabolical!
She and I went to Chili's after, for dinner. The lateness of the hour didn't stop us from having a two-hour meal, continuing the post-film discussion and anticipating the last film of the festival.
Saturday dawned.
Valentine's Day.
I had a family birthday party and the JAVAFLIX Savannah meetup between me and the final film of the film festival.
She had lunch with a friend at the beach and the JAVAFLIX Savannah meetup between her and the final film of the film festival.
Our plan was to attend the meetup and watch the movie, but leave before the discussion began so we could hightail it southside from downtown. My singing companion, Sandy, came along with us.
We knew we were going to miss "Le Chat du Rabbin", but there was no avoiding that. The 2011 animated tale of a cat who wishes to become Jewish would have to wait for another day. (I hear tell that it's available on Netflix.)
We even knew we might miss the first few minutes of "Les Femmes du 6e étage" - and we did. The 2010 film had already begun, but I don't think we missed more than ten minutes of it. At any rate, we caught up quickly.
Jean-Louis and Suzanne, an 1960's Parisian couple, live very well, but have drifted apart. Enter Maria, a new maid, a breath of fresh air in their stodgy lives. Suzanne barely sees her, but Jean-Louis finds his heart awakened and his mind distracted. Such a sweet and hopeful love story!
Perfect to mark the end of the Francophone Film Festival!
Perfect to mark the end of Valentine's Day!
We three convened to the Olive Garden to discuss the merits of the two free films we'd seen and to applaud the lovely day we'd shared!
FREE films???
That's right.
Every film of the Francophone Film Festival was 100% free. (They always have been. It truly is a marvel that the Ogeechee Theatre isn't overflowing with viewers.)
The film at the meetup was free, too.
All we've paid for are two dinners on our three nights out!
What a fabulous weekend it's been!