The series’ first Centerpiece couldn’t be a better choice: Children of Paradise, Marcel Carne’s classic 1942 romantic epic takes a leisurely 190 minutes to tell its fantastic story of a celebrated mime falling in love with a less-than-respected actress in 1830s Paris. Blessed with Jacques Prevert’s marvelously poetic script and unmatched performances by Jean-Louis Barrault and Arletty as the lovers, Carne’s masterpiece marries the best of both the stage and the screen. The March 7 Walter Reade Theater screening precedes a Film Forum run and the inevitable Criterion Blu-ray release, but is preferable to both.

The films in Rendez-vous’ main section include returning directors Benoit Jacquot (Farewell, My Queen), Andre Techine (Unforgivable), Lucas Belvaux (38 Witnesses), Robert Guediguian (The Snows of Kilimanjaro) and Alain Cavalier, the eclectic and experimental filmmaker whose Pater stars Vincent Lindon and himself as two men who may or may not be playing the parts of French president and one of his trusted ministers. Despite the obvious glee they have improvising their dialogue, the movie ends as a shaggy-politician story without any discernible point--or point of view.

Actors turned directors include Daniel Auteil (The Well-Digger’s Daughter), Mathieu Amalric (The Screen Illusion, a forgettable updating of a 17th century Corneille play, whose rhymed verse is totally alien to the movie’s 21st century denizens) and Mathieu Demy (whose Americano is a self-indulgent and sentimental drama with Demy an unappealing protagonist who takes it upon himself to rescue a stripper--the game Salma Hayek--he knew as a child from the hell she’s currently in).

Strong acting distinguishes other entries. Frederic Louf’s 18 Years Old and Rising showcases superb performances by unknowns like Pierre Niney (a member of the venerable Comedie Francais), Audrey Bastien and Lou de Laage in its intelligent look at teens on the cusp of adult

In Headwinds, Benoit Magimel persuasively plays an author and father of two youngsons trying to handle his wife’s sudden disappearance. Jalil Lespert’s psychologically astute study of dealling--or not dealing--with grief features Audrey Tautou in a small role as Magimel’s wife. Tautou is the star of Delicacy, a similarly strange tale of grief that shows what happens after a young woman’s soul mate -- and, briefly, husband--dies: will she close herself off or rebuild her life?

Despite Tautou’s heartbreakingly lovely presence, David and Stephane Foenkinos’s flimsy film fades from memory immediately.hood, with the background of Francois Mitterand’s 1981 presidential election.

For more information and a full schedule, visit http://rendezvouswithfrenchcinema.com

Rendez-vous with French Cinema 2012
March 1-11, 2012

Film Society of Lincoln Center
165 West 65th Street, New York, NY

IFC Center
323 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY

BAMCinematek
30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY