2nd French Film Meetings in India

The screenings of the 9 films selected Female Agents, Mutants, Paris, Leaving, Pierrot le Fou, The First Day of the Rest of Your Life, Regrets, A Prophet, High lane in the Fun Cinemas Andheri multiplex played to sold-out sessions every day and many spectators were turned away due to a lack of seats. Total attendance was around 3,000 spectators. Indian audiences demonstrated an avid response to the range of genres on offer and the talks between artists and audiences, chaired by an excellent Indian film critic, were warm and lively, and continued each time in an informal manner beyond the theater walls and even out into the street.

Apart from the public screenings, several events were organized so as to enhance interaction between French and Indian film professionals. The opening night reception, during which the legendary Indian singer and actress Lata Mangeshkar received the Legion of Honor by Jérôme Bonnafont, the French Ambassador to India, welcomed many Bollywood professionals and stars. The French delegation was able to visit Bollywood's Yash Chopra movie studios and to meet with independent Indian filmmakers and producers during an evening that allowed many contacts to be made and possible joint future projects to be discussed. Film directors Cédric Klapisch and Rémi Bezançon, along with the actress gave masterclasses at Whistling Woods International, the Mumbai Film School, as part of the On Set With French Cinema program.

Last but not least, many professional meetings were organized by Unifrance and Studio Canal, represented by Anna Marsh, after which film sales are now under discussion. In addition to the French artists already mentioned, the delegation included Jean-Paul Salomé, David Morley, Hélène De Fougerolles, Catherine Corsini, Cédric Kahn,Tahar Rahim, Abel Ferry and Fanny Valette. All had numerous interviews with media representatives, who followed the event closely.