28 septembre 2015

Soiree d'accueil 16 septembre


The new season got underway on 16 September with a mini-general meeting at which two new committee members were elected, Drew Millar and Isabelle Chaboud.  Bienvenue !
A mystery box was presented containing numbered items which were then given to members with the corresponding number.  Later in the evening when they had a chance to compose their thoughts they addressed the meeting sharing details about their mystery item - there were CDs, history and cookery books and a card game.
The upcoming programme was the main item of business and it was generally agreed that there was plenty to entertain and inform over the year ahead.

The meeting concluded with the provision of membership cards.  This year they will be date-stamped on each attendance and at the annual dinner those with full attendance can enter their card in a draw for a complimentary bottle of the featured wine.
If you haven't joined yet, don't worry you can start collecting those date stamps from the next meeting on 7 October.

12 septembre 2015

Bulletin mensuel: septembre 2015

Chers Amis,
C’est la rentrée and this year Cercle Français de Belfast is back with a programme that is even bigger, brighter and better than before. Our first meeting takes place on ...

Mercredi 16 septembre 2015 with a Joyeuse ouverture et assemblée spéciale.
An introductory session, including a short general meeting, to showcase the cercle and the year ahead.

As always we shall meet …
à 19h.30 in Dark Horse Coffee House30-34, Hill Street Belfast BT1 2LB


We are looking forward to seeing all our existing members on 16thSeptember and also to seeing some new faces. If you have not yet been to a meeting of the cercle don't be shy. The Cercle Français de Belfast is for everyone who loves, or has an interest in, France and things French. You do not have to be able to speak French.


French Dance and Music in the heart of Belfast.

New Look Bal Feirste!!!

Bal Feirste the group of French and local musician and dancers who have been bring the music and dances of France to Belfast for several years have been in touch with information on their 'new look'. Annette writes ….

We have been plotting and planning how we can do things better and came up with a revised format for our monthly event (beginning on Saturday 12thSept and still free!) starting promptly at 530pm with a 30 minute dance workshop, followed by our monthly Bal from 6-8pm, same venue - upstairs in Maddens Bar, Berry St, Belfast. This will include lots of practise of the new dances (covered during the workshop), building on these each month by adding more, and increasing your repertoire of the many regional dances of France, hope to see you there! Feel free to forward this email or bring friends.

Many thanks, Bal Feirste

In addition to the Bal on Saturday 12th Sept. Bal Feirste have been asked to perform at Culture Night. They will be outside Kelly Cellars from 8-9pm on Friday18th Sept.

I see too that Vanessa Franchetti will be teaching a French Dancing Workshop
at the Crescent Arts Centre
on Sunday 4 Oct, 2-4pm.
This workshop will focus on dances from Brittany and the Pays Basque.


Looking forward to seeing you in the Dark Horse Café on Wednesday 16thSeptember.

A bientôt, Philip

15 août 2015

Le petit fute: Belfast


The little wily one .... French travel guide for Belfast.
A friend, visiting Belfast, let me browse this for a while.  I am definitely getting a copy as it is great if you have Francophone visitors and are showing them around the city.
Check out the Belfast page on its website here.

02 août 2015

Trottoir interdit aux pietons



Snapped when passing through a French town - have you any interesting, amusing pictures from your trips to France ?

15 juin 2015

French films at QFT in June

LA FRENCH
THE CONNECTION

Fri 5 – Thurs 11 Jun

Director Cédric Jimenez hurls us back to the 1970s for a bold European twist on William
Friedkin’s action classic The French Connection.
Academy Award-winning actor Jean Dujardin (The Artist, TheWolf of Wall Street) plays against
type in this high-octane crime epic chronicling a violent six-year campaign to bring down the
kingpin of a major narcotics ring.

Director: Cédric Jimenez
Run Time: 2 Hrs 15 Mins
Released: 2014
Country: France/Belgium
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Gilles Lellouche, Céline Sallette
Subtitled


TIMBUKTU

Fri 5 – Thurs 11 Jun

Following the recent jihadist takeover of northern Mali, a proud cattle herder comes
into fateful conflict with the fundamentalist rulers of the provincial capital, in this luminous, lyrical and poetic drama from the great African filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako.
Winner of two awards at the Cannes Film Festival 2014, Timbuktu was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2014 Academy Awards.

Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Run Time: 1 Hr 36 Mins
Released: 2014
Country: France/Mauritania
Cast: Ibrahim Ahmed, Abel Jafri, Toulou Kiki
Subtitled


LES COMBATTANTS
LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT

Fri 19 – Thurs 25 Jun

An acerbic take on coming of age romance, French style. In the sun drenched summertime
of southern France, Arnaud is preparing for work as a woodcutter at his family business. It’s all set to be a pretty easy ride until he comes across the statuesque Madeleine, a love interest like no other.
Featuring some excellent verbal sparring between the young lovers, this expertly written gem is part screwball, part rom-com and wholly enjoyable.

Director: Thomas Cailley
Run Time: 1 Hrs 38 Mins
Released: 2014
Country: France
Cast: Adèle Haenel, Kévin Azaïs, Antoine Laurent
Subtitled


A bientôt, Philip

13 mai 2015

French Films at QFT this May

This month we have a number of French films showing at QFT. In addition to Argerich, the documentary exploring the love, life and extraordinary talent of renowned pianist, Martha Argerich through the eyes of her daughter Stéphanie which has one last screening on Thu 7th May – 6:30pm, we have …...

Samba

Fri 15th May - Thu 28th May

The directors of the French smash hit Untouchable reunite with the magnetic Omar Sy for another fantastic comedy drama.
Sy plays Samba Cissé, a migrant from Senegal who works washing dishes in the kitchen of a fancy French hotel. A bureaucratic slip-up puts his immigration status in danger, which puts him into the path of Alice (Charlotte Gainsbourg, playing charmingly against type), an immigration case worker new to the job and out of her depth. As professional roles begin to bleed into the personal, Samba and Alice find themselves drawn to each through their similarities, and even more so by their differences.
Three years ago, Untouchable became one of France's biggest breakout hits, charming audiences across Europe and then the world. Much of its charm flowed from its co-star, the exuberant Omar Sy. That performance soon led to a role in the X-Men franchise and the beginnings of a global career. If you've yet to discover the appeal of Omar Sy, just watch Samba.
Director Eric Toledano & Olivier Nakache
Run Time 1 hour 58 minutes
Released 2015
Country France
Cast Omar Sy, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Tahar Rahim
Genres Drama, Romance


BANDE DE FILLES
GIRLHOOD

Fri 15 – Thurs 21 May

In a tough Parisian suburb, shy, 16-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) lives with her oft-absent mother, domineering brother, and two younger, dependent sisters.
Facing high school failure, she is lured from her shell by three vivacious local teens. Adopting their flashier look and often reckless behaviour, Marieme makes both foolish and brave choices as she struggles towards independence. Director Celine Sciamma (Tomboy) provides irresistible, kinetic energy to an unforgettable story of female empowerment.

Dir: Céline Sciamma
Run Time 1 Hr 53 Mins
Released 2014
Country France
Subtitled


CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA

Fri 22 – Thurs 28 May

A bewitchingly and complex drama – and English-language debut – from French auteur
Olivier Assayas (Somethingin the Air).
A veteran stage and screen star (Juliette Binoche) turns to her assistant (Kristen Stewart) for solace as she prepares for a new production with a Hollywood It Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz). A captivating study in not one but three psyches; it’s All About Eve shaken and stirred with some Bergman-esque psycho-sexual female misbehaving.

Dir: Olivier Assayas
Run Time 2 Hrs 4 Mins
Released 2014
Country France/Switzerland/Germany/USA/Belgium


UNE NOUVELLE AMIE
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND

FRI 22 – THURS 28 MAY

François Ozon’s delicious new drama is a smart and sly satire – with some jaw-dropping twists – about love, desire, gender and sexuality.
Claire (Anais Demoustier) is devastated by the death of her closest friend but is determined to make good on a deathbed promise to watch over her friend’s widower David (Romain Duris) and newborn baby. She heads to their suburban home only to discover a big surprise that will change both their lives.

Dir: François Ozon • France
2014 • 1 Hrs 45 Mins • Subtitled

Dir: François Ozon
Run Time 1 Hr 45 Mins
Released 2014
Country France
Subtitled

For full details of QFT's Programme see... www.queensfilmtheatre.com

01 avril 2015

French Films at QFT … in April.

French Films at QFT … in April.


SUITE FRANÇAISE

Continues until Thursday 2 April


Fri 27 Mar – Thurs 2 Apr

DIOR AND I
(Documentary)

Dir: Frédéric Tcheng • France • 2014 • 1 Hr 30 Mins • Partially Subtitled

Dior and I brings the viewer inside the storied world of the Christian Dior fashion house with a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Raf Simons’ first haute couture collection as its new artistic director.


Sun 19 Apr, 1pm

LI’L OUINOUIN

Dir: Bruno Dumont • France • 2014 • 3 Hrs 20 Mins • Subtitled

Bruno Dumont’s absurdist metaphysical murder mystery prompts inevitable comparisons to Twin Peaks and True Detective. Featuring Bernard Pruvost as the Clouseau-like detective on the case and charismatic young Alane Delhaye as the title prankster, Li’l Quinquin is proof that even an auteur like Dumont, best known for uncompromising and austere dramas, is capable of shifting gears without conceding his signature.


Sun 26 Apr, 4pm

UNE VIE DE CHAT
A Cat in Paris

Dir: Jean-Loup Felicioli & Alain Gagnol • France/Netherlands/Switzerland/Belgium
• 2010 • 1 Hr 5 Mins • Subtitled

A Paris cat called Dino leads an unlikely double life when he becomes embroiled in this tale of animated adventure. A jazzy film noir for children,A Cat in Paris is a cinematic delight celebrating traditional old school animation.


The film 'The Gunman' just released in the UK is based on one of the most influential French romans noirs, The Prone Gunman, by Jean-Patrick Manchette, and isHowever this article on  'The Conversation' website carries words of warning …...


Following the issues raised by the Charlie Hebdo killings in France you may find the programme 'A Nation Divided' broadcast on BBC3 on 30th March interesting. You can find it on iPlayer at …..


À bientôt, Philip