The 22 Annual Festival of French and Francophone cinema is back, exploring how movies tell us stories from epic to profoundly personal, bittersweet comedy to Greek tragedy. This year we have an exciting line-up of nine films, ranging from a 1928 silent movie accompanied by pianist Patrick Miller to the newly released film Antigone on Saturday Closing Night. Please join us then for a reception and a chance to meet the lead actor, Nahéma Ricci, who will lead a Q&A after the film!
—Karen Humphreys, Festival Director
2:30 pm
La Société du Spectacle (The Society of the Spectacle)
Guy Debord | France | 1974 | 90 min.
It’s no surprise that after the voices for change in the 1960s that French films would find new techniques to tell us new stories. Writer and filmmaker Guy Debord released this invigoratingly experimental movie six years after the publication of his book, The Society of the Spectacle. Debord used the technique of ‘détournement’ hijacking images of the capitalist system to use against itself. Far from a dull political rant, the film is a dizzying array of images of Hollywood movies, advertising, war, and protests crushed by the police. The result is organized chaos that provides a devastating look at a world that remains dominated by image and power. “It isn’t put together to go down easily, but it rarely ceases to be stimulating...a priceless document.” —Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
7:00 pm Closing Reception
Saturday, April 8, 8:00 pm
Antigone
Sophie Deraspe | Canada | 2019 | 109 min.
Followed by a Q&A with actress Nahéma Ricci.
It's exciting to screen a fantastic, award-winning film to close this year’s April in Paris Festival. Set in an immigrant community in Montréal, it is based on the timeless play by Sophocles, updated to a modern story that is all too relevant: the real-life shooting of an immigrant teenager by the police. Ricci stars as the boy’s loyal sister, who challenges every authority she encounters, willing to sacrifice everything for justice and love. Best Canadian Film, Toronto Film Festival. A unique and contemporary cinematic experience that resonates deeply.” —Justine Smith, Toronto Globe and Mail
Cost: General Admissio: $10; Seniors 62+ & students from any school: $8; Friends of Cinestudio (membership): $7