Hong Kong French Film Festival celebrates 70 years of French cinema

The 2023 Hong Kong French Film Festival is set to kick off next month, celebrating 70 years of French film with a selection of over 50 films screened throughout November and December. Now in its 52nd edition, the festival has grown to become one of the premier events showcasing the best of contemporary and classic French cinema in Asia.

This year’s compelling selection of films places a strong focus on issues of social justice. Kicking off the event will be the award-winning Anatomy of a Fall (L’anatomie d’une chute), which examines the complexities of culpability in its unravelling of a popular novelist’s (Sandra Hüller) pending murder charges.

Other thought-provoking titles like I Will Always See Your Faces (Je verrai toujours vos visages) and The Edge of the Blade (Une Affaire d’Honneur) delve into meaningful themes like restorative justice practices and humanitarian Abbé Pierre’s activist work. The festival’s guest of honor Vincent Perez and Karine Silla, co-scenarist for The Edge of the Blade, will be on hand to provide insight into the film’s exploration of 19th-century notions surrounding personal retaliation and honor.

In addition to exploring issues of social justice, this year’s program also examines complex human relationships and dynamics between couples. Acclaimed Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung’s latest film The Pot au Feu (La Passion de Dodin Bouffant) portrays the evolving romantic connection between two characters played by Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel, which blossoms from their shared passion for haute cuisine.

Suddenly (Soudain Seuls) depicts a marooned couple, played by Gilles Lellouche and Mélanie Thierry, grappling with the challenges of sustaining intimacy while stranded together. Out of Love (Le Bonheur est pour demain), starring Laetitia Casta, offers a raw glimpse at a tempestuous romantic saga.

Insights into historical relationships will be provided through Jeanne du Barry, which follows Maïwenn’s character rising from humble origins to becoming the mistress of 18th-century French monarch Louis XV, portrayed by Johnny Depp. These films provide nuanced perspectives on the emotional complexities inherent to couple dynamics.

Festival-goers can also look forward to documentaries such as The Mixing (Métissages) and Amandiers (Les Amandiers aux Amandiers) by director Karine Silla. For cinephiles wanting to reminisce on cinema history, 18 classic French films – from Et Dieu créa la femme, Les 400 coups, Les choses de la vie, to La reine Margot and Amélie Poulain – are being screened in a special retrospective celebrating the festival’s origin alongside Alliance Française Hong Kong in 1953.

In addition to the rich programme of screenings, Q&A sessions, and master classes, renowned critic Jean-Pierre Lavoignat will also give lectures exploring the directorial careers of Claude Sautet, Romy Schneider and Patrice Chéreau. Meanwhile, an exhibition of photographer Luc Roux’s evocative cinema-inspired images will be on display at Soho House in Sheung Wan.

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HKFFF Website:
www.hkfrenchfilmfestival.com 
Festival period: November 22 to December 12, 2023
Ticketing: Open on Oct 24, 2023 on urbtix.com, cinema partners on www.cinema.com.hk
Venue: Hong Kong City Hall, MOViE MOViE PACIFIC PLACE, PALACE ifc, Broadway Cinematheque,
Premiere Element

Photo Exhibition:
November 22 to December 3, 2023
Venue: Sheung Wan Studio, G/F, Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Rd W, Sheung Wan