In French with English Subtitles 2012 Translates into Good Causes

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Saturday, 24 November 2012 17:36

Written by Laura Blum

Four years ago, the In French with English Subtitles fest was created to bring together cinéphiles, cinéastes, stars and industry professionals in celebration of cultural diversity through French-language film. But like the Tribeca Film Festival – which began as a booster for downtown Manhattan in the wake of 9/11 – IFWES's bedrock raison d'être was to support a charitable cause.

Along the way, it too became an anticipated cultural event for both kids and adults, whether because or in spite of its philanthropic thrust. At this year's installment (November 30 to December 2, 2012), net proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York, l’Entraide Française and the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.  

Who cares how great a film is if part of your ticket will help fix the world?

Not that festival-goers need lower their expectations: only films that were box office hits in France make the IFWES cut.

Held in Manhattan's French Institute/Alliance Française (Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street), IFWES 2012 will continue the tradition of presenting nine releases produced in the language of Molière and subtitled for their New York premieres.

The 2012 showcase opens with a gala screening of Happiness Never Comes Alone/Un Bonheur n’arrive jamais seul. Co-starring Gad Elmaleh (Midnight in Paris, The Valet, The Adventures of Tintin) and Sophie Marceau (The World is Not Enough), this romantic comedy sends up the challenges of balancing new love with the demands of raising three kids. Revelers are invited to swill cocktails following a Q&A with guest of honor Elmaleh -- whose French-Canadian-Moroccan hyphens ensure his multi-culti cred -- and with the film's husband and wife co-writing team, director James Huth (Brice de Nice) and executive producer Sonja Shillito. 

Also gracing the reception are Géraldine Nakache, fellow actor/director Roschdy Zem and Nakache's ex, comedian/actor/radio host Manu Payet. Zem stars in Pierre Jolivet’s thriller Armed Hands/Mains Armées, which he will discuss following its Saturday, December 1st screening.

At $120 a pop, the gala is sold out -- bad news for non-ticket-holders who wished to attend, but good news for the festival's beneficiaries and anyone who supports their good missions. 

Similarly, no seats remain for the December 2nd screening of Nous York. The comedy about five Nanterre-raised 30-somethings who come together in New York reunites co-directors/co-writers Nakache and Hervé Mimran, who also co-directed, co-wrote and earned César nominations for All that Glitters/Tous ce qui brille. Nakache co-stars opposite Payet in Nous York, and both appeared in All that Glitters and Lisa Azuelos' 2006 rom-com Hey Good Looking/Comme t'y es belle!, which Mimran co-wrote and which made the rounds at numerous stateside film festivals. Mimran and Nakache will discuss Nous York at a post-screening Q&A.

To properly chart the artistic, amorous and/or family ties entwining the featured celebrities at IFWES would take an advanced algorithm. But what's clear is that the names bubbling to the top of the French talent pool are a cozy bunch with a knack for turning out comedies, thrillers and dramas that ticket buyers want to see -- even with subtitles.

Apropos, the festival salutes the success of such recent Gallic smashes as Intouchables and The Artist. The former, which sold nearly 50 million tickets worldwide, was co-directed by Géraldine's brother, Olivier Nakache; and the latter danced off with five Oscars with many thanks to director Michel Hazanavicius, whose brother Serge (I've Loved You So Long/Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) appears in Alexandra Leclère's kidnapping adventure Mum/Maman, playing at the festival December 1st.

Other entries include:

• The Lookout, by Michele Placido
• The Dandelions, by Carine Tardieu
• Ducoboo Crazy Vacation, by Philippe de Chauveron
• What’s in a Name, by Alexandre de la Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte
• Quand je serai petit, by Jean-Paul Rouve

For film descriptions, a full list of special guests and ticket information, visit http://infrenchwithenglishsubtitles.com. The festival is presented by the non-profit In French with English Subtitles, Inc. in partnership with travel management company Altour and distributor French Feeling Films.

4th Annual In French with English Subtitles
Florence Gould Hall
The French Institute-Alliance Française (FIAF)
55 East 59th Street New York, NY
212 355 6160

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