Vive La France | Pocketmags.com

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Vive La France

Francophiles rejoice as the French Film Festival returns to the IFI this November! Viewers will be spoiled for choice with an incredible selection of new and classic films, not to mention an exceptionally strong line-up of award winning LGBT+ titles.

Lovers of queer cinema should snap up tickets for Sorry Angel, an engrossing, vibrant romantic drama which depicts the burgeoning love affair between Jacques, a middle-aged HIV Positive Parisian writer, and bisexual Arthur, a university student ten years his junior. As the relationship develops, they learn to negotiate the terms of their romance tempered by inescapable illness and mortality.

Vanessa Paradis makes a welcome return to the big screen in the audacious and camp Knife Plus Heart. Set in the lurid underworld of the 1970’s gay porn industry, film director Anne is heartbroken when her editor Lois ends their affair. Anne soon has bigger problems to contend with when an unidentified serial killer begins to dispatch members of her troupe of actors in increasingly gruesome fashion.

Balancing raw authenticity with striking moments of profound tenderness and compassion, Sauvage is the story of Léo, a 22 year-old rent boy. Filled with unrequited love for the handsome Ahd, a fellow hustler, they look for a way to escape to a better life.

Following acclaimed showings at Cannes and the London Film Festival, the striking Girl makes its Irish debut. It tells the story of a gender non-conforming teenager preparing for reassignment surgery whilst pushing themselves to breaking point in their determination to excel at a prestigious dance company and be accepted by their peers. Anchored by a stunning central performance by 15-year old Victor Polster as Lara, the film resonates with empathy for its bravely resilient protagonist. A definite must-see.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the festival will also welcome a number of very special guests for a series of talks and interviews. Those looking to grab some grub in between would do well to visit the IFI Café Bar, where they will be serving a specially created French menu.

See www.ifi.ie/frenchfest for information and booking.

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