Editor

LA CINEMATHEQUE: NEW FRENCH FILMS Launches year-round programming with premieres of Les Beaux Gosses on September 30; and Costa-Gavras’ Eden is West on October 22;
Philadelphia Cinema Alliance forms a partnership with the Prince Music Theater, the Embassy of France and the French-American Cultural Foundation

Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia Cinema Alliance (PCA), the nonprofit presenter of Philadelphia CineFest and Philadelphia QFest, will be expanding its year-round programming this month, with the launch of La Cinematheque: New French Films. PCA has recently formed a dynamic partnership with The Prince Music Theater, the Embassy of France, and the French-American Cultural Foundation to present this year-round once-a-month film series.

Inspired by the success and popularity of “The French Reconnection” in April at Philadelphia CineFest, Artistic Director Raymond Murray and Development Director Thom Cardwell, were excited about a way of bringing additional French films to the city’s passionate film-goers as a way to connect across cultural boundaries and experience first-hand contemporary French culture.

The initial lineup, according to Murray, is four independent, well-produced, first run quality films, not yet released in the United States that offer slices of contemporary French life with a universal appeal.

The first four films are:

French Kissers (Les Beaux Gosses), directed by Riad Sattouf; a hilarious adolescent’s romp that is both sexy and a little naughty, on Wednesday, September 30.

Eden Is West (Eden ‘a l’Quest) directed by Costa-Gavras, a funny to heartrending journey of a man from unknown roots to an unstable future, on Thursday, October 22.

OSS 117: Lost in Rio (OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus), directed by Michel Hazanavicius, a spot-on comic recreation of a 1960’s French spy series starring comedian Jean Dujardin on Thursday, November 12.

The First Day of the Rest of your Life (Le premier jour du reste de ta vie), directed by Rémi Bezançon, a zany tale about one families’ experiences about five days in a 12-year life cycle, on Thursday, December 10.

Screenings will be in French with English subtitles, at 6:45pm, at The Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., off the Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia. Film discussions will follow each screening.

• General Admission Prices will be: $9.50 for a single ticket and $25 for the series of four films.
• Members of Philadelphia Cinema Alliance and Prince Music Theater Prices: $7 for a single ticket and $19 for the series of four films.
• Student Prices: (with current ID) $5 for a single ticket and $15 for the series of four films.
• “Food, Wine and Film” VIP tickets will be $25 per person for the public; $21 per person for Philadelphia Cinema Alliance and Prince members.

All tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 267-765-9800, ext. 4, 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, or online at www.phillycinema.org Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the screenings. Group sales are also available by phone.

“Whenever you think of French films, food and wine come immediately to mind,” explained Cardwell.

To celebrate opening night on September 30, “Food, Wine and Film” will include a buffet featuring the cuisine of Brittany (where French Kissers takes place), prepared by Du Jour Catering, paired with Mas Planeres Red, Mont Redon Rose and Chateau Planerers Prestige Redat, wines selected by World Shippers and Importers, served from 5 to 6:45pm. Du Jour Catering will also offer a crepes station—both savory and sweet—for sale, to the public, in the Prince’s Café. Specialty cocktails will also be available for sale throughout the evening.

VIP tickets for “Food, Wine and Film” will be $25 per person for the public; $21 per person for Philadelphia Cinema Alliance and Prince members. Du Jour Catering will also offer a crepes station—both savory and sweet—for sale, to the public, in the Prince’s Café.

Cardwell said that other special wine tastings, food events and meal deals will be available on the evenings of each film screening.

“The Embassy of France is pleased that the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance has joined in a partnership with the Prince Music Theater in our collective efforts to bring French films and culture to the citizens of Philadelphia,” said Antoine Sebire, Director, Audiovisual Affairs at Maison Francaise, Embassy of France, Washington, D.C., “It’s the first rollout of many other opportunities for screening French films in the future with these two nonprofits.”

La Cinematheque’s Honorary Host Committee includes: chairs, Roland Celette, Cultural Attache, Director of La Maison Francaise, Embassy of France, Washington, D. C.; Antoine Sebire; Daniele Thomas Easton; George Perrier; Marjorie Samoff and Raymond Murray, Michael Scullin and members: Diana Regan, Cirel Magen, Jim Ounsworth, Leo P. Fox, Lisa Reisman, Janet and Gary Calderwood, Chris Calderwood, Herb and Sissy Lipton, Ruth Perlmutter, Patrice Rames, Michael Feighan, Sean Buffington, Claire Kohler, Eric Moore, James Duggan, Le Anne Lindsay, Gisele Bathish, Madeline Hoefer, John Buckley, Toby Lerner, Olivier de Saintmartin, John Gonzalez, Patti Klein, Anca Constantinescu, William Mifflin, Jay Arnold, Bruce Campbell, Mary Patel, Kelly Boyd and John Herzins.

Additional sponsors of La Cinematheque include: TLA Video, TV5 Monde, Le Bec-Fin, University of the Arts, Stella Artois, Lisa Reisman Gallery, Calderwood Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Philadelphie, International Women’s Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Hospitality, Inc., The Restaurant Collection, Prive, The Prime Rib, ZipCar, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Del Frisco’s, and KB Consultants.

For information on La Cinematheque: New French Films or membership to Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, visit www.phillycinema.org