For the 14th year, and in association with Unifrance, Berlin will celebrate French cinema with a week boasting events and many guests, from December 4 through 10, 2014.
From December 4 through 10, during the 14th German French Film Week, 10 French films (and also a Quebec film and Belgian film) will be presented to the Berlin public at premiere screenings prior to their national releases in Germany, and in the presence of French film artists. It is an opportunity to highlight the richness and diversity of French cinema, which is particularly appreciated across the Rhine.
The Institut Français in Germany, in close collaboration with Unifrance, and in partnership with Yorck Kino and Cinéfête, will welcome many filmmakers and actors, such as Robert Guédiguian, Jean-Pierre Améris, Isabelle Carré, Marc Fitoussi, and Audrey Dana.
The festival will open with 3 Hearts, in the presence of director Benoit Jacquot, during an evening emceed by journalist Annette Gerlach from Arte, and also in the presence of the French Ambassador in Germany, Mr. Philippe Etienne, the director of the Institut Français of Germany Emmanuel Suard, and the executive director of Unifrance, Isabelle Giordano.
The Berlin French Film Week throws the spotlight on great figures of current French cinema, on rising talents, and on original new works being produced by the French film industry.
Serial (Bad) Weddings, the comedy by Philippe de Chauveron, which has been renamed Mr Claude und seine Töchter by its German distributor Neue Visionen Filmverleih, is currently enjoying an exceptional career in Germany, and has attracted more than 3 million spectators. To celebrate this success, a special gala evening will be organized on December 5, in the presence of the director and the film's lead actor Christian Clavier, during which they will receive a special award.
We also note that 4 recent French films yet to be distributed will also be presented at the Institut Français during the event, and there'll be a special focus on actor Vincent Macaigne, programmed in conjunction with Kino Arsenal. Last but not least, Cinéfête will present a sidebar mini-festival for younger audiences.
The films presented as premiere screenings:
Ariane's Thread by Robert Guédiguian (in his presence)
Clouds of Sils Maria by Olivier Assayas (in the presence of actor Lars Eidinger)
Marie Heurtin by Jean-Pierre Améris (in his presence, accompanied by Isabelle Carré and Ariana Rivoire)
The Blue Room by Mathieu Amalric
Paris Follies by Marc Fitoussi (in his presence)
French Women by Audrey Dana (in her presence)
Gett, The Trial of Viviane Amsalem by Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz
3 Hearts by Benoit Jacquot (in his presence)
Gala evenings:
Girlhood by Céline Sciamma
Serial (Bad) Weddings by Philippe de Chauveron
Hiroshima Mon Amour by Alain Resnais
+ a short film night
All information can be found at the official website.
