French Film Festival opens at new Palace Moore Park Cinema
Image: JEANNE DU BARRY film still.
The highly anticipated Alliance Françoise French Film Festival has finally opened to much fanfare. This is the 35th presentation of the festival in Australia – the largest outside of France. The love for French cinema has ensured that patronage has increased from year to year and, surprisingly, non-French speaking Australians account for 85% of the audience.
The Opening Night Gala was held in the plush Noble Room at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Francois Romanet, Chairman of the Board, Denis Morandet, General Manager of the Alliance Françoise Sydney, and Frederic Allioid, CEO of the AFFFF in attendance.
The dress code recommended was lounge suit as it was a formal event, and a majority of the invitees took advantage and dressed up for the occasion. There was much excitement as the invitees entered the grand hall, with photo opportunities on the red carpet before being approached by wait staff who offered a wide selection of wines.
The event was appropriately French themed with a band playing French melodies and various French beverages available, from bottled Perrier natural mineral water described as ‘water captured at the source in France’ to wines from the Rameau D’or Provence in France. Delicious French delicacies were also in abundance.
Those who patiently waited in line were welcomed to the world of fine fragrances sampling French fragrances from a pop up Perfumerie.
Attendees also had the opportunity to win two round-trip Business class tickets from Australia to Paris and a runner up prize of return flights and 5 night’s stay for two at a hotel in glorious Noumea, New Caledonia.
Since the opening night movie was The Three Musketeers: D’artagnan there was a fencing duel re-enactment by 4 performers dressed in full musketeer attire which provided some entertainment leading up to the formalities of the evening.
It was a fabulous pre-movie gala event, and everybody received a sample bag which contained many promotional goodies including samples of French perfumes, bottles of mineral water, coffee capsules/containers, pens and a host of other promotional goodies from the many sponsors. Attendees were then ushered to the new Moore Park Palace Cinema, as excitement built around the Australian premier screening of The Three Musketeers: D’artagnan.
And just when we all thought we’d had enough to eat, as we approached the cinema a pop up Creperie came into view. Honestly could we really eat a Nutella filled crepe? Of course, we could (and did)!
The Three Musketeers: D’artagnan was the opening night movie at the festival and for those people who couldn’t make last night’s event there will be many more screenings over the next few weeks. Directed by Martin Bourboulon and starring notable French actors Francois Civil, Vincent Cassel and Romain Duris amongst others, this romance drama should prove to be the number one box office hit at the festival. A magnificent and lavish movie with a reported production budget of 70 million Euros this entertaining historical drama boasts extremely high production values.
This latest adaptation of the classic novel by the same name and written by Alexandre Dumas is a blockbuster in two parts. The first part delves on young swordsman Charles D’Artagnan and his endeavours to become a musketeer. In the process he uncovers a conspiracy which may affect the nation.
There’s plenty of sword fighting action, humour, intrigue and romance in this fast-moving drama which should keep avid fans of this genre at the edge of their seats throughout.
Naturally the movie ends with a spine-chilling cliffhanger which should have audiences promptly returning to watch the second chapter: The Three Musketeers: Milady which is also screening at this festival.
Watch these movies separately or together in one session but take note, book your tickets now as they are selling quickly!
With a program of 41 of the finest French comedies, dramas and family friendly movies there’s something for everyone at this year’s French Film Festival!
Until April 9
All Palace Cinemas
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