Af Classic Film Festival

Francophiles will be in heaven with the opportunity to see some brilliant classic French films featuring famous blonde actresses at the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival in September.

After the festival was a major crowd-pleaser in Sydney last year, it’s decided that it will now become a national festival, with Brisbanites being the winners. Presented by Alliance Française and STUDIOCANAL and in association with Palace Cinemas, this is a natural and welcome complement to the existing Alliance Française French Film Festival.

So, what’s in store in this classic-themed smorgasbord of French film with this year’s “Les Blondes” focus? Well, you get to see Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Jean Seberg, Romy Schneider and Simone Signoret in all their glory. Opening Night on Friday, 2 September, has Lovers Like Us (Le Sauvage), Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s 1975 film with Deneuve and Yves Montand in a romantic comedy adventure set in Venezuela. The function starts at 6.15 with the film screening at 7pm. Cost is $35/$30.

If you haven’t seen Jean-Luc Godard’s acclaimed Breathless (À Bout de Souffle – 1960), then now’s the time. Starring Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo, it’s the essence of Parisian cool. Casque D’Or (1952) from Jacques Becker and starring Simone Signoret is about impossible love and is inspired by the criminal underworld of early 20th century Paris.

Viva Maria! (1965) from director Louis Malle has the queen of 1960s sex kittens, Brigitte Bardot, teamed up with Jeanne Moreau for this French western set in ‘San Miguel’, a fictitious 1907 Central American country. Claude Sautet’s Cesar and Rosalie (Cesar et Rosalie – 1972), has Romy Schneider and Yves Montand involved in a ménage a trois. This also stars the brilliant Isabelle Huppert.

The five featured actresses were recognised as highly skilled in their craft as well as being objects of desire for their sensuality and beauty, so this is a special opportunity to see their magic on the big screen.

CHECK SCHEDULE & BUY TICKETS HERE.

By Vicki Englund

Alliance Francaise is a valued sponsor of Must Do Brisbane.com