french films > showing in London
From Paris with Love
Produced by Luc Besson, this is Pierre Morel's second film after Taken. A personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France, James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend, but his real passion is his side job as a low-level operative for the CIA. All James wants is to become a bona fide agent and see some real action. So when he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner, special agent Charlie Wax (John Travolta).
Father of my children
Cannes Film Festival 2009 – Special Prize Un Certain Regard. Grégoire Canvel has everything a man could want. A wife he loves, three delightful children and a stimulating job. He's a film producer. Discovering talented filmmakers and developing films that fit his conception of the cinema-free and true-to-life is precisely his reason for living, his vocation. It fulfils him and Grégoire devotes almost all his time and energy to his work. He's hyperactive, he never stops, except at weekends...
Farewell
Moscow, 1981. Convinced that the Soviet regime is adrift, Sergei Grigoriev, a colonel with the KGB, decides to betray his country. He provides sensitive information to the DST through Pierre Froment, a French engineer in Moscow.
Micmacs
It took Jean-Pierre Jeunet quite some time to start writing again: five years since 'A Very Long Engagement'. It has been well worth the wait. In true Jeunet style ingenuity and humour are present throughout the film despite its serious subject matter. Indeed, a satirical analysis of the world's arm trade probably wouldn't immediately strike you as slapstick. Jamel Debbouze was originally cast for the film but left after three weeks of filming. He was quickly replaced by Danny Boon, an actor who displays his magnificent skill again. Danny Boon is supported by a strong cast who all seem to have had their role made to measure. Don't go expecting a repeat of Amelie or les Ch'tis - the genre is totally different but better for it. Released nationwide on 26th February 2010.
A Prophet
Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang who rules the prison, he is given a number of 'missions' to carry out...
The Beaches of Agnes
Returning to the beaches which have been parts of her life, Agnès Varda invents a kind of self-portrait - documentary. Agnès stages herself among excerpts of her films, images and reportages. It is fair to say that at the ripe age of 80, she can claim that her life has been far from mundane. Released in London on 2nd October.
Coco before Chanel
The story of Coco Chanel's rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world.
Persepolis
This is the autobiographical story of Marjane Satrapi, born in Iran in 1969, and how her passage from childhood to adulthood coincided with her country's own passafe from Shah through revolution to Islamic state...
The Swimming Pool
Jean Paul (Alain Delon) and Marianne's (Romy Schneider) Riviera holiday is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Harry (Maurice Ronet) - her ex-lover and his ex-best friend - and his provocative young daughter (Jane Birkin). Underneath the surface resentments simmer, and the psycholgical games lead to disaster.
Golden Helmet
Drama The loves affairs of the Belle Casque d'Or who was very famous during the Belle Epoque Period.
Belle de Jour
Buñuel's cool, elegant version of Joseph Kessel's novel is an amoral comedy of manners starring Catherine Deneuve.
Purple Noon
A wonderful thriller with Delon as the beautiful psychopath of Patricia Highsmith's novel. A great suspense with outstanding actors.