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Alliance Française Du Bengale, Nandan Launches The 1st Edition Of The French Film Festival In Kolkata
Alliance Française Du Bengale, Nandan Launches The 1st Edition Of The French Film Festival In Kolkata
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Nearly 35 years to this day after the last visit to Kolkata by the then French president, François Mitterrand, who came to award the iconic filmmaker from Bengal Satyajit Ray the highest French decoration, France once again celebrates cinema in Kolkata with great pomp through the inaugural edition of the French Film Festival. A lineup that shares with a cinephile audience the best of French Cinema over 9 days from 16th-24th February at Nandan.
This Film Festival has been tailored for the Indian Audience recognizing the unique tastes of this audience, the festival proudly presents French cinema, known for its diversity in cinematic brilliance. From high-quality animation films targeting young audiences to renowned recent French releases like "Three Musketeers Part II: Milady" and "Jungle Bunch, "are having their national premieres at the festival - there is something for everyone.
The inaugural ceremony of the 1st Edition of the French Film Festival Kolkata has been adorned with the esteemed presence of actor Bollywood Superstar Anil Kapoor, Director Anurag Kashyap, acclaimed actress Rituparna Sengupta, actor Saswata Chatterjee and Model-Actress, Richa Sharma.
There are 60 screenings featuring 28 full-length films. Following the screenings each evening during the Film Festival, there will be panel discussions on various film sections featuring specialists, eminent filmmakers, and actors from film fraternity of Bengal and beyond.
Within the framework of this festival there will be a special 9 hours of short film screening on the 23rd of February from 9:00 pm-6:00 am, at Park Mansions Courtyard.
The festival will cover 4 sections- French New Wave, Films adapted from literature, Films for Young Audience and Indian Filmmakers featured in Cannes Film Festival.
Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance Française and the Director of the 1st ever French Film Festival in Kolkata noted: “As co-creator of this festival together with our Consul General I am thrilled to welcome Bollywood personalities Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap together with Tollywood star Rituparna Sengupta and Director Gautam Ghosh. Cinema unites people, inspires, stirring our souls and igniting our imagination. In the dim-lit sanctuaries of theaters, we are transported to distant lands, where we walk alongside captivating characters and immerse ourselves in diverse cultures. Despite the vast expanse that separates us, the universal language of talent unites us all, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. As we eagerly anticipate the inaugural edition of the French Film Festival, spanning eight enchanting days from the 16th of February, we will connect bridges between Bengal and France. In the vibrant city of Kolkata, where literature and cinema intertwine, we celebrate the rich heritage and the newest productions of French and Indian cinema.”
Mr Anil Kapoor, Indian Actor-Director-Producer said, “I started my career here in Bengal way back in 1980s. This is one of the best cinema destinations and both France and Bengal have some of the best filmmakers.”
Actor Rituparna Sengupta noted: “France is my favorite place and Paris is my favorite destination. We are connected by an emotional bond.”
Didier Talpain, the Consul General of France to Kolkata stated that: “It is always very exciting to start a new and ambitious project especially when it has to do with culture. India is a great country for Cinema, one of the greatest in the world. So is France. Therefore, the newly born 1st French Film festival of Kolkata (fffk) is a promising Enterprise. And with a large scope no less than nine days in duration (plus one full night devoted to short films) and dozens of screenings for all kinds of tastes (recent French movies – a wink to the nouvelle cinema, films for youngsters)…. But there is even more. This 1st fffk will pay a deserved tribute to some prominent film makers and actors from West Bengal and from all over India.
This festival was somehow missing in the cultural landscape of the vibrant Kolkata. Now, thanks to Alliance Française du Bengale, the Government of West Bengal and the French Consulate in Kolkata and to the many professionals and sponsors who supported us, it finally exists.
This Film Festival has been tailored for the Indian Audience recognizing the unique tastes of this audience, the festival proudly presents French cinema, known for its diversity in cinematic brilliance. From high-quality animation films targeting young audiences to renowned recent French releases like "Three Musketeers Part II: Milady" and "Jungle Bunch, "are having their national premieres at the festival - there is something for everyone.
The inaugural ceremony of the 1st Edition of the French Film Festival Kolkata has been adorned with the esteemed presence of actor Bollywood Superstar Anil Kapoor, Director Anurag Kashyap, acclaimed actress Rituparna Sengupta, actor Saswata Chatterjee and Model-Actress, Richa Sharma.
There are 60 screenings featuring 28 full-length films. Following the screenings each evening during the Film Festival, there will be panel discussions on various film sections featuring specialists, eminent filmmakers, and actors from film fraternity of Bengal and beyond.
Within the framework of this festival there will be a special 9 hours of short film screening on the 23rd of February from 9:00 pm-6:00 am, at Park Mansions Courtyard.
The festival will cover 4 sections- French New Wave, Films adapted from literature, Films for Young Audience and Indian Filmmakers featured in Cannes Film Festival.
Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance Française and the Director of the 1st ever French Film Festival in Kolkata noted: “As co-creator of this festival together with our Consul General I am thrilled to welcome Bollywood personalities Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap together with Tollywood star Rituparna Sengupta and Director Gautam Ghosh. Cinema unites people, inspires, stirring our souls and igniting our imagination. In the dim-lit sanctuaries of theaters, we are transported to distant lands, where we walk alongside captivating characters and immerse ourselves in diverse cultures. Despite the vast expanse that separates us, the universal language of talent unites us all, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. As we eagerly anticipate the inaugural edition of the French Film Festival, spanning eight enchanting days from the 16th of February, we will connect bridges between Bengal and France. In the vibrant city of Kolkata, where literature and cinema intertwine, we celebrate the rich heritage and the newest productions of French and Indian cinema.”
Mr Anil Kapoor, Indian Actor-Director-Producer said, “I started my career here in Bengal way back in 1980s. This is one of the best cinema destinations and both France and Bengal have some of the best filmmakers.”
Actor Rituparna Sengupta noted: “France is my favorite place and Paris is my favorite destination. We are connected by an emotional bond.”
Didier Talpain, the Consul General of France to Kolkata stated that: “It is always very exciting to start a new and ambitious project especially when it has to do with culture. India is a great country for Cinema, one of the greatest in the world. So is France. Therefore, the newly born 1st French Film festival of Kolkata (fffk) is a promising Enterprise. And with a large scope no less than nine days in duration (plus one full night devoted to short films) and dozens of screenings for all kinds of tastes (recent French movies – a wink to the nouvelle cinema, films for youngsters)…. But there is even more. This 1st fffk will pay a deserved tribute to some prominent film makers and actors from West Bengal and from all over India.
This festival was somehow missing in the cultural landscape of the vibrant Kolkata. Now, thanks to Alliance Française du Bengale, the Government of West Bengal and the French Consulate in Kolkata and to the many professionals and sponsors who supported us, it finally exists.
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