By
Lou Van Cauvenberghe
Published on Sep 26, 2024 at 2:57 p.m.
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The La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival will take place from October 14-20 in 2024. The festival has announced its program for its 15th edition, featuring guests including Cécile de France (Lost Illusions), Reda Kateb (Out of the Ordinary), Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist), Aloïse Sauvage (120 Beats per Minute), and Ariane Labed (The Lobster).
Grandiose
With a lineup of 140 films, 40 of which will be French premieres, screenings will occur throughout the week in the city’s largest cultural venues. The newly opened Le Concorde cinema on Rue Foch will be a key location, hosting the festival for the first time. Maximilien Schnel, the city’s deputy for culture and president of the Yonnais Public Establishment for Cultural and Cinematographic Cooperation, stated, “The city has never invested as much money into the festival. The entire public space will be utilized.” In total, the city has allocated 3.4 million euros for this state-of-the-art cinema to expand the film selection and provide additional screenings. The festival aims to “grow and establish itself nationally.” The selection process is international, with Charlotte Serrand, the festival’s general delegate and programmer, personally curating all the films presented.
Meeting with Cécile de France
Cécile de France will be the guest of honor, introducing the festival with the world premiere of For Love, a touching family drama centered on the themes of listening and trust within relationships. This is the second feature film directed by Elise Otzenberger, and Cécile de France stars in the lead role. As part of the international competition, it will open the festival on Monday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Manège, where the actress will engage with the audience following the screening.
Closing the festival on Sunday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Manège and 8:30 p.m. at the Cyel auditorium will be the biopic Mr. Aznavour, directed by Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade, which chronicles the life of the iconic singer known for Bohemia.
César and Oscar winners
Actor Reda Kateb (known for The Prophet and Out of the Ordinary) will participate in the festival as a director with his debut feature film On a Wire. The screening is set for Saturday, October 19 at 9 p.m. at the Manège, where he will also meet the audience alongside the film’s lead actress, Aloïse Sauvage (120 Beats per Minute), following a separate meeting on Monday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Manège.
Animated films will also take the spotlight, starting with The Most Precious of Goods by Michel Hazanavicius, screening on Thursday, October 17 at 8:45 p.m. at the Manège. The acclaimed director of OSS 117 and The Artist, who won the Oscar and César for Best Film in 2012, is expected to attend the event. Additionally, the final screening will occur at the Concorde on Sunday, October 20 at 4:30 p.m.
A Unique Selection in France
Several films will be exclusive to the festival. Charlotte Serrand, who has reviewed all 140 films submitted (and many more), presents a richly diverse international selection. One highlight of the international competition is Brief History of a Family by Lin Jianjie, a Chinese film that explores societal issues and the one-child policy, regarded as “one of the most stunning discoveries of the year” by the programmer.
Another exclusive preview in France is Shambhala, a documentary by Min Bahadur Bhamtourné, filmed at over 4,000 meters in a village nestled in the heart of the Himalayan mountains in Nepal: “A technical and artistic achievement!”
Cinema and Literature
Recognizing the close connection between literature and cinema, Charlotte Serrand has chosen to celebrate both arts this year by featuring several films adapted from literary works. One of these is Their Children After Them, adapted from Nicolas Mathieu’s 2018 Prix Goncourt-winning novel, directed by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma, with a preview screening on Wednesday, October 16 at 9 p.m. at the Manège.
Throughout the week, literature and cinema will be the focus of various round tables featuring director Adret Diwan, director Ariane Labed, and writer Olivia Rosenthal.
The International Film Festival will run from October 14 to 20, featuring screenings, meetings, exhibitions, round tables, and workshops. The complete program can be found at https://www.fif-85.com/.
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Lou Van Cauvenberghe
Published on Sep 26, 2024 at 2:57 p.m.
See my news
Follow the Journal of the Pays Yonnais
La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival: An Overview
The 15th edition of the La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival is set to take place from October 14-20, 2024. This exciting event promises to showcase a diverse array of films with notable guests, including acclaimed actors and directors such as Cécile de France (known for Lost Illusions), Reda Kateb (Out of the ordinary), and Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist).
Festival Highlights
- 140 films from various countries, including 40 French premieres.
- New Le Concorde cinema on Rue Foch as a prime festival venue.
- 3.4 million euros invested in cultural infrastructure.
- International film selection curated by festival programmer Charlotte Serrand.
A Grand Opening Ceremony
The festival will kick off with Cécile de France as the guest of honor. She will present the world premiere of For Love, a poignant exploration of familial relationships that emphasizes the importance of listening and trust. This highly anticipated film marks the second feature by director Elise Otzenberger and will screen on Monday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Manège.
Closing Ceremony with a Biopic
The festival will conclude on October 20, with the screening of Mr. Aznavour, a biopic describing the life of the famous singer known for La Bohème, directed by Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade. This screening is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Manège and will be complemented by an 8:30 p.m. showing at the Cyel auditorium.
Showcasing Award-Winning Artists
Reda Kateb is expected to present his directorial debut, On a Wire, on Saturday, October 19, at 9 p.m. at the Manège, where he will engage with the audience post-screening. Notably, Aloïse Sauvage will join him, facilitating a vibrant discussion.
Additionally, fans of animated films can look forward to the screening of The Most Precious of Goods, directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starting Thursday, October 17, at 8:45 p.m. at the Manège. Hazanavicius, the acclaimed director known for OSS 117 and The Artist, is expected to make a special appearance at this event.
A Unique Selection of Films
The festival will introduce several films that are exclusive to this event, including Brief History of a Family by Lin Jianjie, which provides a sensitive commentary on China’s social policies. Moreover, Shambhala, a breathtaking documentary by Min Bahadur Bhamtourné filmed amidst the majestic Himalayas, will be another must-see.
Emphasizing Literary Adaptations
This year, Charlotte Serrand has chosen to bridge cinema and literature through a series of film adaptations of literary works. Notably, Their Children After Them, adapted from Nicolas Mathieu’s Goncourt Prize-winning novel, will premiere on Wednesday, October 16, at 9 p.m. at the Manège. This undertaking highlights the strong interconnection between these two art forms.
Workshops and Round Tables
Throughout the festival, attendees can participate in various round tables and workshops focusing on the relationship between literature and cinema. Esteemed guests, including director Adret Diwan, actress Ariane Labed, and writer Olivia Rosenthal, will contribute to stimulating discussions.
Attend the La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival
This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of international cinema and culture. With screenings, meetings, exhibitions, and engaging discussions, the event aims to promote artistic exchange and reveal the impacts of film storytelling. For complete program details, visit the official festival website at fif-85.com.
Festival Locations
| Venue | Address | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Le Concorde | Rue Foch | New primary venue with innovative screens |
| Manège | Central City | Opening and Closing ceremonies held here |
| Cyel Auditorium | Near Central Park | Additional screenings and events |
This festival represents an outstanding opportunity for film lovers to discover unique stories, meet renowned filmmakers, and engage with a vibrant cultural community.
