French Movies in Greater Washington – February 2023
Film
Cinema Paradiso
February 10 - March 2
Washington DC and its surroundings is showing several fantastic programs in February. We’ve rounded up some of the very best must-see programs this month, get ready to immerse yourself in French culture!
Lives of Performers— February 11 at 2:00pm ET
National Gallery of Art, Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565
A stark and revealing examination of romantic alliances, “Lives of Performers” examines the dilemma of a man who can’t choose between two women and makes them both suffer. Originally part of a dance performance choreographed by Rainer. This screening will take place with Yvonne Rainer in person.
Director: Babette Mangolte (France, 1972)
Cast: Yvonne Rainer
Genre: Short
More info can be found here
Cinema Paradiso— February 12 at 5:00pm ET (Italian and French, with English ST)
AFI Silver Theater, 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Giuseppe Tornatore’s acclaimed 1988 love letter to cinema remains a beloved fan favorite, best enjoyed on the big screen. Successful Roman film director Salvatore Di Vita (Jacques Perrin) receives news from his mother in his Sicilian hometown that Alfredo (Philippe Noiret), the town’s former movie theater projectionist, has died. This prompts a flood of memories and emotions for the man who, now seen in flashback, was a father figure and mentor to the young Salvatore, and who encouraged his love of movies and the pursuit of his dreams, wherever they might lead him. Tornatore winningly evokes the world of 1950s smalltown Sicily, abetted by Ennio Morricone’s masterful score, Blasco Giurato’s rosy cinematography and a wonderful performance by Noiret.
Director: Giuseppe Tornator (Italy/France, 1988)
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Salvatore Cascio, Jacques Perrin, Agnese Nano,…
Genre: Drama
More info can be found here
A Family for 1640 Days— February 15 at 8:00pm ET (French, with English ST)
The Avalon Theater, 5612 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015
Anna happily lives with her husband, their two boys, and Simon, 6 years-old, who was placed with her by the Social Care services when he was only 18 months. When Simon’s father decides that he is ready to take his son back with him, the family’s balance is at stake. Anna is torn apart: how could she possibly let go of a child who has always called her ‘Mom’?
Director: Fabien Gorgeart (France, 2021)
Cast: Mélanie Thierry, Félix Moati, Lyes Salem,…
Genre: Drama
More info can be found here
Maria Schneider, 1983— February 18 at 2:00pm ET (French, with English ST)
National Gallery of Art, Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565
In 1983, Maria Schneider gives an interview for the TV show Cinéma Cinémas. The conversation takes an unexpected turn when she challenges film industry practices and is asked to talk about the controversial film Last Tango in Paris (1972).
Director: Elisabeth Subrin (United States, 2022)
Cast: Manal Issa, Aïssa Maïga, and Isabel Sandoval
Genre: Short
More info can be found here
Au Hasard Balthazar— Six screenings between February 24 at 5:00pm ET & March 2nd at 04h45PM (French, with English ST)
AFI Silver Theater, 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
With Jerzy Skolimowski’s widely acclaimed EO collecting awards and best-of-the-year plaudits, now seems like a perfect time to revisit the original donkey-starring spiritual allegory, Robert Bresson’s AU HASARD BALTHAZAR from 1966. Born in the French Pyrenees and dubbed “Balthazar” by three children, a young donkey is thrown into a life of successive labors and abuses at the hands of different owners, periodically enjoying moments of love and tenderness in the hands of Marie (Anne Wiazemsky), a young woman whose path crisscrosses several times with Balthazar’s, and whose own troubles in life parallel those of this soulful spirit animal. “[O]ne of the greatest films in history …stirs the heart and soul as much as the mind.” – Manohla Dargis, The New York Times.
Director: Robert Bresson (France/Sweden, 1966)
Genre: Drama
More info can be found here
