'Lost Illusions'. Photo: Handout
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Le French Film Festival (LFFF) is making a long-awaited return this year with 21 movies shown at selected Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) outlets in Kuala Lumpur (June 9 to 26; GSC Mid Valley, Nu Sentral, MyTown, 1Utama), Penang (June 30 to July 10; GSC Gurney Plaza), Johor Baru (July 7 to July 10; GSC Paradigm Mall JB) and Kota Kinabalu (July 14 to 17; GSC Suria Sabah).
For the first time, the festival will include a curated selection of 10 movies revolving around the theme Bewitching Outsiders, that will be available on streaming platform Mubi.
Malaysians all around the country will be able to enjoy this selection of French movies – which include classics such as Les 400 Coups (1959), Jules Et Jim (1962) and Mon Oncle (1958), as well as contemporary titles like Le Nouveau (2015), Victoria (2016) and Papicha (2019) – from the comfort of their homes from June 7 to July 17 (redeem a 30-day free trial on www.mubi.com/leff).
Another new addition is Le Petit Festival, an interactive programme for kids that includes free screenings and ticketed music performances and storytelling sessions.
“It feels like a revival of the festival this year. We will celebrate this 20th anniversary with an inclusive and hands-on programme with activities for Malaysians of all ages. We are particularly excited to showcase how eclectic and unique French cinema is,” says Asma Manssouri, cultural coordinator of Alliance Francaise Kuala Lumpur.
Roland Galharague, ambassador of France to Malaysia, adds: “Le French Festival is one of the most vibrant symbols of the solid relationship that has been built between France and Malaysia since 1957.
“This year, with over 200 movie screenings in seven cinemas, and a wide-ranging festival programme, there will be something for everyone.”
FFF22 is presented by Alliance Francaise in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and the Embassy of France in Malaysia.
Besides the main film segment of the festival, there will be a host of events held throughout the festival’s run, including gastronomy- related workshops, art exhibitions and music programmes such as the Solstice Lunaire multi-sensorial concert and la Fete de la Musique.
For more information, visit www.lefrenchfestival.com.my. Ticket sales start June 2.
Here is a look at a few movie highlights from Le French Film Festival 2022.
At Etienne’s prison theatre workshop, the convicts rehearse Samuel Beckett’s famous play, Waiting For Godot. Their shows in the city are a roaring success but the final performance awaits, the final test of their relationship and the last piece of the puzzle.
An idealistic young poet finds himself swept into the heady world of journalism in 19th century France, where he lives dangerously and dabbles in pretense, bribery and profits, at the expense of his conscience.
In this musical film, life throws stand-up comedian Henry a curveball when his baby girl is born. While his partner, Ann, continues touring the world as a famous opera singer, he has a meltdown on stage and ends up staying home with the baby.
Sarah, the only woman in the training programme at the European Space Agency in Cologne, is torn between her work and spending time with her young daughter. She has some particularly difficult choices to make when she is chosen as one of the astronauts for a year-long stint on the International Space Station.
Get a free ticket for Le French Film Festival in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Baru with the following promo code: FFFTSK00000L9 (Klang Valley), FFFTSP00000A2 (Penang) and FFFTSJ00000G0 (JB).
Redemption can be made on www.gsc.com.my or the GSC mobile app by applying the promo code during checkout. A booking fee of RM0.50 is chargeable per ticket code redemption. A total of 200 free tickets are available for Klang Valley, and 100 each for Penang and Johor.
Book your tickets from June 2.
Terms and conditions
- The promo code is valid for all Le French Film Festival 2022 movies except The Family at the participating GSC outlets.
-The promo code can be redeemed for one movie ticket per transaction, starting June 2.
- Redemption is subject to seat availability (first come, first served basis).
- The promo code is not exchangeable for cash, and is not valid with ongoing promotions, vouchers or privilege cards.
