‘Vive la France’ at the 2017 France Odeon Film Fest

The theme this week in Florence is “bridging cultures.” The France Odeon Festival at Cinema La Compagnia from October 19 – 22 is a celebration of contemporary French film, new talent and the strong cinematic relationship between France and Italy.

Directed by Francesco Ranieri Martinotti, the prestigious four-day programme takes place at Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r) and features screenings, guest stars, interviews and awards. Twelve of the best recent French films will show during the festival in original language with Italian – and often English – subtitles.

As this year’s ambassador, Italian actress Matilde Gioli will open the festival at 6:45 pm on Thursday, Oct. 19, when the first awards ceremony will be held. French actor Louis Garrel and Italian star Sveva Alviti will receive Ferragamo Perfume’s ‘Essence of Talent,’ a prize given to young artists that best represent the link between French and Italian cinema. The first film screening will follow afterwards with Le Redoutable. Starring Louis Garrel, it tells the story of French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard and his love affair with actress Anne Wiazemsky. The film’s director, Michel Hazanvicius, will attend the evening.

Music is the protagonist in three of this year’s films. In Rachid Hami’s inspirational drama La mélodie (Friday, Oct. 20, 7.30 pm) starring Kad Merad, music helps to transform the lives of underprivileged students in a banlieue school. Barbara (Saturday, Oct. 21, 6.30 pm), directed by Mathieu Amalric, recounts the story of French-Italian singer Dalida, while Django (Sunday, Oct. 22, 5.15 pm), depicts the life of famous guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Ce qui nous lie (Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 pm) and Petit Paysan (Sunday, October 22, 3 pm) are particularly close to Tuscany’s heart, exploring themes of wine production and farming. Two comedies also feature – Aurore (Saturday, Oct. 21, 6 pm) and 7 jours pas plus (Sunday, Oct. 22, 7.30 pm).

Other films not to be missed include the Cannes award-winning L’amant d’un jour (Friday, Oct. 20, 6 pm) and the world première of Diane a les épaules (Friday, Oct. 20, 9.30 pm), which will be attended by its director Fabien Gorgeart and lead actress Clotilde Hesme.

This year, the festival has an all-female judging panel, highlighting the important role of women in cinema today. The judges include film director Francesca Archibugi, writer and director Concita De Gregorio and actress Valentina Bellè. The audience and a panel of school students will also vote for two prizes after each film screening.

“How can we bring film education into Italian schools?” asks Stefania Ippoliti of Fondazione Sistema Toscana, one of France Odeon’s organizers together with French Institute of Florence. “Through this festival, we want to contribute to the understanding and teaching of cinema,” she said

From the Lumière brothers and their pioneering work in early filmmaking, to Gérard Depardieu, Brigitte Bardot and Amélie, France and cinema have always been inextricably linked. France Odeon pays homage to this important legacy and celebrates the bond between French and Italian film that remains so strong today.

SCREENINGS WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

L’amant d’un jour – Friday 20, 6 pm

Diane a les épaules – Friday 20, 9.30 pm

Barbara – Saturday 21, 8.30 pm

Lola Pater – Saturday 21, 10.30 pm

Django – Sunday 22, 5.15 pm

7 jours pas plus – Sunday 22, following award ceremony at 7.30 pm

Show tickets are €8, a full festival pass €49. (poppy jackson)