A French fling at FAFF

Bust a move: Hip hop dance champions the Pockemon Crew from Lyon, France, takes us back to film sets of the 1930s and 19400s at the French Art and Film Festival 201.

Movies, music, art, dance and food – the French Art and Film Festival is back with an impressive line-up.

THE annual whirlwind of French films, champagne, macarons and everything in between is back!

This year’s French Art and Film Festival (FAFF) will kick off with a selection of French films – running the gamut from romantic comedies to drama, animations to musicals – and end with the highly-anticipated Fête de la Musique in Kuala Lumpur.

Jointly organised by the Alliance Francaise de Kuala Lumpur and the Embassy of France to Malaysia, and presented by Martell, the FAFF is all set to dazzle with numerous events from May 15 to June 21.

With 12 films on offer, the cinematic aspect is clearly the festival’s cornerstone.

Frenchman 25-year-old Gabriel Bianco will take us on a musical journey on his classical guitar.

The film festival runs from May 15 to June 1 in the Klang Valley, and June 5 to 15 in Penang.

But the FAFF package comes complete with a programme line-up that includes, among other things, a hip hop performance by the talented Pockemon Crew titled And ... Action!, a classical guitar recital by Gabriel Bianco, a French market, a photography exhibition showcasing the works of Clotilde Richalet that offers a peek into the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and a series of gastronomic tasting events.

There are also champagne and cognac tasting sessions by Martell, and two French restaurants in town, the Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie and La Vie En Rose in Kuala Lumpur, will offer a custom cognac-pairing menu for foodies looking for something special on a night on the town.

Celebrate a day of music at the Fête de la musique in Kuala Lumpur on June 21.

“We try to bring French culture to Malaysia, to introduce this sentiment of cultural community as far as French culture is concerned,” says Jean-Pierre Dumont, director of Alliance Francaise de Kuala Lumpur, at the FAFF press conference.

He adds that this year’s festival owes its longer-than-usual run to the inclusion of Fête de la Musique, an annual music festival that is held on June 21 in cities around the world. This is the shortest night in the year as it corresponds to the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

“Fête de la Musique started in France in 1982, where everybody, no matter what music you play, is invited to perform in the streets,” says Dumont.

Over 100 countries are now part of this worldwide celebration of music each year.

Be part of the magic in Kuala Lumpur this time around, catch your favourite local bands and other musicians, including Paris-based Canadian singer Melissa Laveaux’s first concert in Malaysia at Alexis Bistro on Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Holding true to the spirit of the Fête de la Musique, admission to these music events are free.

Visit www.faff.com.my or www.alliancefrancaise.org.my for more information on the French Art and Film Festival that runs May 15 to June 21. Note that the film festival runs May 15 to June 1 in the Klang Valley and June 5-15 in Penang. Check out www.gsc.com.my for screening details.

Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris star in Mood Indigo.

Free tickets to the French Art and Film Festival in the Klang Valley and Penang

Want to catch a movie at the French Art and Film Festival (FAFF) for free? Alliance Francaise de Kuala Lumpur and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) are giving The Star readers 200 complimentary passes to catch some of the films screened during the festival in the Klang Valley from May 15 to June 1. The same number of passes will be on offer during the festival’s run in Penang from June 5 to 15.

Just get a copy of The Star today (May 12) and present the coupon found on Page 13 of Star2 (no photocopies please) at the Gold Class Counter at GSC Mid Valley in Kuala Lumpur or Priority Lane at GSC Gurney Plaza in Penang, tomorrow (May 13) from 11am onwards to redeem two FAFF 2014 complimentary passes.

In the Klang Valley, these passes can be used at the participating GSC outlets: Mid Valley, Pavilion and 1 Utama. In Penang, they can be used at GSC Gurney Plaza.

All movies in French will be screened with English subtitles.

Terms and conditions

> Each coupon redeems two passes, on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.

> Each person can redeem one coupon only.

> Each pass can be exchanged for one movie ticket, from as early as two days before the movie screening.

> Valid for the following seven FAFF films only:

Camille Rewinds (Camille redouble)

Approved for Adoption (Couleur de peau: miel)

Granny’s Funeral (Adieu Berthe: l’enterrement de Mémé)

Nénette (Nénette)

Same Old Song (On connaît la chanson)

The Young Girls Of Rochefort (Les demoiselles de Rochefort)

Princes And Princesses (Princes et Princesses)