Featuring new works by François Ozon, Bertrand Bonello, Emmanuelle Bercot, Bruno Dumont, Christophe Honoré,Justine Triet, Rebecca Zlotowski,and more, with many of the filmmakers and talent in person
Special events include aconversation withAgnèsVarda, panelsfocusing oninternational co-production and film as political intervention, a free screening ofan episode of the popularTV series Call My Agent, and an exhibition from Arles
New York, NY (February 1, 2017) – The Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance announce the complete lineup forthe 22nd edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, the celebrated annual series showcasingthe variety and vitality of contemporary French filmmaking, March 1-12.
The lineup features23diverse films, comprised of highlights frominternational festivalsand works by bothestablished favorites and talented newcomers, includingFrançois Ozon’s Lubitsch adaptation Frantz, set after World War I; Bertrand Bonello’sNocturama, a provocative exploration of a Paris terrorist attack carried out by young activists; Bruno Dumont’s oddball slapstick detective story Slack Bay, starring Juliette Binoche; Rebecca Zlotowski’s visually arresting Planetarium, with Natalie Portman as a touring psychic who catches the eye of a movie producer in 1930s Paris; Jean-StéphaneBron’sThe Paris Opera, a documentary that peeks behind the scenes of the famed institution; and, for the first time, a Film Commentmagazine presentation within Rendez-Vous with French Cinema:Julia Ducournau’s cannibal thriller Raw, which titillated audiences at Toronto and Cannes.
This year’s programming, including the selected films, panels, and events, includesa special focus on the myriad of ways that French culture influences the arts in America, and vice-versa. The opening night selection is the North American premiere of Étienne Comar’sDjango, starring RedaKatebas the legendaryjazz musician and Cécile de France, and the Closing Night selection is the U.S. premiere ofJérôme Salle’s The Odyssey,with Lambert Wilson as explorer Jacques Cousteau and co-starring Audrey Tautou and Pierre Niney.
Selections in this year’s edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema garnered an impressive 47 combined nominations for this year’s César Awards, which were announced last week. Best Film nominees includeFrantz (eleven nominations), Slack Bay(nine nominations), Nicole Garcia’s Marion Cotillard showcase From the Land of the Moon (eight nominations), and Justine Triet’soffbeat rom-comIn Bed with Victoria(five nominations). In addition, Emmanuelle Bercot’s gripping real-life drama150 Milligrams, withSidseBabett Knudsen as adoctor who challenged the French pharmaceutical industry,received nominations for adapted screenplay and Best Actress; up-and-coming filmmaker Stephanie de Giusto was nominated for Best First Film for The Dancer, which stars Soko as modern dance icon Loïe Fuller and Lily-Rose Deppas Isadora Duncan (both nominated); and additional nominations went to Sébastien Marnier’s Faultless, KatellQuillévéré’sHeal the Living, SólveigAnspach’sThe Together Project, and Salle’sThe Odyssey.
Filmmakers and talent who will be in attendance at this year’s festival include, in alphabetical order: Emmanuelle Bercot, Bertrand Bonello, Étienne Comar, Caroline Deruas, Stéphanie Di Giusto, Julia Ducournau, Marc Fitoussi, Marina Foïs, Cécile de France, Nicole Garcia, Christophe Honoré, RedaKateb,Sébastien Marnier,François Ozon, Antonin Peretjatko, KatellQuillévéré, Jérôme Salle, Justin Taurand, Justine Triet, Martin Wheeler, and Rebecca Zlotowski.
The 2017 edition of Rendez-Vous also features a number of special events, headlined by an intimate discussion withAgnèsVarda on March 10 and a free public screening of an episode of the hit French TV series Call My Agent!on March 11.Free talkswill includea panel on the many ways that film can function as political intervention;a conversation with French and American filmproducers about international co-producing; and the festival’s annual panel featuring FrenchTouch musicians and film composers. A special exhibition imported from the esteemed photography festival Les Rencontresd’Arleswill be on view in the Walter Reade Theater’s Furman Gallery throughout the festival, displaying newly discovered color photos from behind the scenes of Fellini’s black-and-white masterpiece8 1/2,shot by the late Paul Ronald and accompanied by recollections from the film’s co-star AnoukAimée.
Co-presentedwith UniFrance, Rendez-Vous with French Cinema demonstrates annuallythat the landscape of French cinema is as fertile, inspiring, and distinct as ever.Press screenings will take place February 15-22and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Artistic direction: Florence Almozini and Dennis Lim
The 22nd edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema benefits from the support of CNC, the Ministry of Culture and Communication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, PROCIREP, Renault Nissan, Lacoste, TV5 Monde, Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Sacem, FIAF, Blum & Poe, and The ENGIE Foundation.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 16, with early access for Film Society members beginningTuesday, February 14. Tickets are $16; $12 for seniors (62+); and $10 for students and members; Opening Night tickets are $25; $20 for members, seniors, and students. Learn more at filmlinc.org.
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