City of Lights, City of Angels will line up 20 premieres

40 new films, including 20 features (all premieres) and 20 new shorts, will be shown at the 11th Annual City of Lights, City of Angels (COL•COA). Acclaimed Berlin Film Festival opening film, “La Vie En Rose,” writer-director Olivier Dahan’s masterful biopic of Edith Piaf, starring Marion Cotillard and Gérard Depardieu, will open the showcase on Monday, April 16, 2007. Picturehouse will release the film on June 8th in New York and Los Angeles. The U.S. Premiere of “Michou D’Auber” (also starring Depardieu) written and directed by Thomas Gilou, will be the closing night film on April 21st.

COL•COA’s program will feature a bevy of performances by popular actors, including Marion Cotillard, Audrey Tautou, Cécile de France, Emmanuelle Béart, Nathalie Baye and Catherine Deneuve, as well as two of Britain’s popular bi-lingual stars, Kristin Scott Thomas and Charlotte Rampling. Some of the most representative filmmakers of the new generation will present their films, including Olivier Dahan, Olivier Assayas, Bruno Dumont, Guillaume Canet, Pierre Salvadori, Roschdy Zem, Antoine de Caunes and Thomas Gilou.

“Following the goal of its producer, the Franco-American Cultural Fund, COL•COA is now a well established event which facilitates exchange among American and French filmmakers. It has become an important showcase for the promotion of talent and new films, not only in Hollywood, but also in the U.S.,” stated Festival Director and Programmer François Truffart. “2007 should be a good year for French cinema in the U.S., as more films have recently been bought. Our line up emphasizes this trend with several premieres of soon-to-be-released films. COL•COA is also a unique platform for distributors and exhibitors to test French language films with an audience,” he added.


City of Lights, City of Angels is funded by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a unique collaboration of the Directors Guild of America (DGA); the Motion Picture Association (MPA); France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW); with the vital support of the Los Angeles Film and TV Office of the French Embassy, L’ARP (France’s Association of Directors and Producers) and Unifrance.

An added attraction is the West Coast premiere of “Paris, je t’aime,” a multi-segment love letter to Paris by multiple writer-directors, hosted by Olivier Assayas. First Look Pictures will release the film in May 2007. COL•COA is also proud to present the U.S. Premiere of “Priceless” (Hors de prix), a new Pierre Salvadori comedy with Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh, set for a U.S. fall release by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Audrey Tautou also stars in the new Claude Berri film, “Hunting and Gathering” (Ensemble, c’est tout) a COL•COA North American premiere.

Other highlights: the U.S. Premiere of “Mon Colonel,” a new Costa-Gavras production directed by Laurent Herbiet, the West Coast Premiere of multi-César winner “Tell No One” (Ne le dis à personne) directed by Guillaume Canet and starring François Cluzet (2006 César for Best Director and Actor) and adapted from a Harlan Coben novel, the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix du Jury winner, “Flanders” (Flandres), written and directed by Bruno Dumont, opening in Los Angeles June 8th by International Film Circuit, as well as the special 11th Anniversary screening, “The Singer” (Quand j’étais chanteur) written and directed by Xavier Giannoli, starring Gérard Depardieu and Cécile de France.

The Friday evening Film noir series returns with two North American Premieres and one U.S. Premiere, as well as the popular Free Sunday Special including the Audience Choice Award re-run, and “A Short Afternoon,” the compilation screening of all 20 shorts, served with a COL•COA birthday cake. The featured documentary film will be “The General Store,” (Alimentation générale), a moving study of a multi-ethnic population that frequents a local convenience store in a poor suburban Paris neighborhood. The film will be screened in the established Thursday early evening program.

Coming this year is a series of three panel discussions in association with Variety: “The Happy Hour Talks.” From Tuesday through Thursday, the audience and industry professionals are invited to lively exchange on the future of foreign cinema in theaters, distribution strategy for foreign films, as well as the influence of American cinema on French filmmakers. All panels are followed by a wine & cheese reception with the French delegation and guest speakers, just before the screenings. (Free access with same-day film ticket)

City of Lights, City of Angels is sponsored by KTLA, TV5MONDE, Air France (Premier Sponsors), LA Weekly, Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas (Official Sponsors), Mumm Cordon Rouge, Club Culinaire of French Cuisine, AirStar, Variety (Major Sponsors) and Agnès B, Arthouse Marketing, Éclair, EMI Classics, Evelyne Ustarroz, Film Commission Ile de France, Hollywood Blonde, IndieWIRE, Laemmle Theatres, Matisse, Media Concepts, MSI Music, Regency Wines, The Hollywood Reporter, Vivendi Games and Volvic-Badoit (Supporting Sponsors).

All screenings are in French with English subtitles. Tickets are available for advance purchase online at www.colcoa.org and at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90046 (cash or checks only). Please refer to web site for box office days and hours. Ticket prices are $10 for adults ($7 for documentary), $7 tickets for seniors (+62) and members of: American Cinematheque, ASC, ICG, Film Independent, IFTA, LACMA, SAG, Women in Film. New this year: Half Price tickets ($5) for students and under 21. Sunday is free as well as The Happy Hour Talks with same-day film ticket.

For film and press information, including hi-res photos, log on to www.colcoa.org. For public information, call (310) 289-5346. Press contact: Cathy Mouton (camouton@pacbell.net).

The following pages include an overall schedule of the festival, cast/credits and brief synopses
of the films.

TUESDAY 17

Theater 1 – 7:30 PM

TELL NO ONE (Ne le dis à personne)
Thriller - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Guillaume Canet
Written by: Guillaume Canet and Philippe Lefebvre
Based on the novel by: Harlan Coben
Produced by: Alain Attal, Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam
With : François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze, André Dussollier, Kristin Scott Thomas, François Berléand, Nathalie Baye, Jean Rochefort

Alex (François Cluzet, Hell, Story of Women, The Apprentices) is devastated after his wife Margot (Marie-Josée Croze, The Barbarian Invasions, The Story of My Life (COL•COA 2005), Munich) is brutally murdered by a serial killer. Eight years have passed when he receives an anonymous email. Upon opening it, he sees a woman in a crowd, filmed in real time. It’s his wife, Margot. Events take a turn for the worse when the police reopen the case and suspect him to be the killer.

After his performance in Pierre Jolivet’s In All Innocence (1998), Guillaume Canet quickly established himself as an A-list actor. He starred in The Beach (2000) with Leonardo DiCaprio, Zulawski’s Fidelity (2000) and Love Me if You Dare (2003) with Marion Cotillard. In 2002, Canet made his directorial debut with Whatever You Say (COL•COA 2003), a critically acclaimed satire of reality TV. The quality of Whatever You Say convinced Harlan Coben to choose Canet for the adaptation of his novel Tell No One. The film won four 2006 César Awards, including Director, Actor, Editing and Original Score.

“Canet shows a fondness for tracking shots, dollies in and out, and location work in and around Paris – all of which confirm the directorial assurance he showed in Whatever You Say (2002).” (Variety)

“There have already been a few outstanding ways to tell a love story which combines strength, reserve and dignity. Here is a new one and it’s good news!” (Premiere)

Followed by a Q&A with co-writer/director Guillaume Canet

Theater 2 – 7:45 PM

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (Changement d’adresse)
Romantic comedy - Los Angeles Premiere
Directed by: Emmanuel Mouret
Written by: Emmanuel Mouret
Producer: Frédéric Niedermayer
With: Frédérique Bel, Emmanuel Mouret, Fanny Valette, Dany Brillant, and Ariane Ascaride

This comedy of manners follows the joys, frustrations and various changes of address of David (Emmanuel Mouret), a clumsy and painfully shy French-horn player. As he arrives in Paris in search of a job and a place to live, he soon finds himself sharing a room (and occasionally, a bed) with ditzy yet romantic Anne (Frédérique Bel, The Russian Dolls) while also falling in love with Julia (Fanny Valette, Little Jerusalem), his quiet and introverted student.

Born in 1971, Emmanuel Mouret is widely considered the most “Rohmerian” writer/director of his generation. A FEMIS graduate, he writes, directs and acts in his films. After directing his first feature, Laissons Lucie faire! (2000), he gained recognition with his two following films, Venus and Fleur (2004) and Change of address (2006), both presented at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. Venus and Fleur was screened in 2005 at COL•COA.

“Cast couldn't be better, and Mouret, though onscreen the whole time, always gives his fellow thesps the spotlight.” (Variety)

“Nerd meets ditz in this cute romantic comedy that pairs cuddly, chatty Parisians. Emmanuel Mouret writes and directs this diverting tale of a match made by rent.” (Chicago Sun Times)

“A fantastic simple story that just happens to be one of the best romantic comedies I’ve seen in years.” (Filmbrats.com)

Followed by a Q&A with producer Philippe Martin

WEDNESDAY 18

Theater 1 – 5:30 PM

BAD FAITH (Mauvaise foi)
Comedy – North American Premiere
Directed by: Roschdy Zem
Written by: Roschdy Zem and Pascal Elbé
Produced by: Philippe Godeau
With: Roschdy Zem, Cécile De France, Pascal Elbé, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Martine Chevallier

Clara (Cécile de France, Avenue Montaigne, (COL•COA 2006), The Russian Dolls), a young Jewish woman and her Muslim boyfriend Ismaël (Roschdy Zem, Days of Glory) have been living happily together for three years. When Clara becomes pregnant, they couldn’t be happier, but now they have to introduce themselves to each other’s families. This is when the trouble starts…

As an actor, Roschdy Zem has worked with some of France’s most respected directors: André Téchiné, Patrice Chéreau, Claude Miller, Philippe Garrel and Laetitia Masson. In 2006, he was awarded a Best Actor award at Cannes for his performance in Days of Glory (Best Foreign Movie Oscar Nominee 2007). Bad Faith, his first film as writer/director, was nominated for a César in the Best First Film category.

“A very funny romantic comedy with a flawless cast.” (Paris Match)

“The intelligent efficiency of the script, the quiet boldness of the filmmaker and the contagious cheerfulness of the cast make Bad Faith one of the biggest accomplishments of the moment.” (Première)

“A sensitive and clever comedy, funny, moving, modern and above all, one that crushes all the clichés and also gives, between two roars of laughter, something to think about which is quite rare.” (Studio Magazine)

Followed by a Q&A with co-writer/director Roschdy Zem

Theater 1 – 8:30 PM

PRICELESS (Hors de prix)
Romantic comedy - US Premiere
Directed by: Pierre Salvadori
Written by: Benoît Graffin and Pierre Salvadori
Produced by: Philippe Martin
With: Gad Elmaleh, Audrey Tautou, Marie-Christine Adam, Vernon Dobtcheff, Jacques Spiesser, Annelise Hesme

Irène, a scheming adventuress, mistakes Jean for a millionaire and tries to seduce him. When she finds out that he’s only a shy bartender in a posh hotel, she immediately loses interest. But Jean is in love and he follows her shamelessly to the French Riviera. Audrey Tautou (The Da Vinci Code, Amélie) and Gad Elmaleh (The Valet (COL•COA 2006), Train of Life) form a sizzling couple in this très chic comedy about love, money and ambition.

Born in Tunisia, Pierre Salvadori moved to Paris at the age of seven. From his first script Wild Target (1989), a comedy about an aging hit man and a seducing art thief, to After You (COLCOA 2004), a film starring José Garcia, Daniel Auteuil and Sandrine Kiberlain, Pierre Salvadori showed a strong continuity in his work. Influenced by Ernst Lubitsch and Howard Hawks, Pierre Salvadori writes and directs witty comedies that echo Hollywood’s golden age of cinema.

"Bittersweet comedy's perfectly chosen multigenerational cast ably demonstrates that if money can't buy love, it sure can purchase lots of obsequious service from four-star hotel staffers and costly goodies from laughably pricey boutiques.” (Variety)

“We observe, charmed, fearing a false note. But no, everything runs smoothly. A perfect moment, priceless, indeed.” (Télérama)

Followed by a Q&A with co-writer/director Pierre Salvadori

Theater 2 – 8:15 PM

FAIR PLAY
Psychological Thriller - Los Angeles Premiere
Directed by: Lionel Bailliu
Written by: Lionel Bailliu
Produced by: Manuel Munz
With: Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel, Jérémie Renier, Mélanie Doutey, Jean-Pierre Cassel

A domineering boss, an ambitious recruit, a Machiavellian executive, and a not-so-innocent employee decide to settle their scores on the sports field. What starts out as a very sportsmanlike competition turns into an exercise in harassment and manipulation, where people will risk anything to avoid being fired. Rowing, racquetball, obstacle course, golf, rafting: their bodies and minds are pushed to the limit.

Lionel Bailliu started his career by directing short films such as Squash, on which Fair Play is based. Squash won 28 prizes at various festivals, including Clermont-Ferrand (where it premiered in February 2002), Aspen, Valencia, Cork and Toronto.


“Filmmaker Lionel Bailliu expands his Academy Award-nominated short film Squash (2000) into a bitter and nail-biting commentary on the cutthroat nature of office politics with this feature debut.” (All Movie Guide)

“As an illustration of how working practices can warp personal standards, the movie can hardly be bettered.” (Hollywood Reporter)

“Talky, cynical tale of ruthless office politics tested in the great outdoors is far more energetic than most mainstream French pics.” (Variety)


THURSDAY 19

Theater 1 – 5:45 PM

SPECIAL 11TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING

THE SINGER (Quand j’étais chanteur)
Drama/Music/Romance - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Xavier Giannoli
Written by: Xavier Giannoli
Produced by: Luc Besson, Jean Coulon, Michel de Wouters, Pierre-Ange Le Pogam, and Edouard Weil
With: Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France, Mathieu Amalric, and Christine Citti.

Alain Moreau is a small town ballroom singer. His life is monotonous until Marion becomes his real estate agent. They don’t have anything in common but their lives will take on a different meaning now that they’ve met. Gérard Depardieu reveals his talent as a singer and seduces Cécile de France (Avenue Montaigne (COL•COA 2006), The Russian Dolls) with French pop classics that had the audience at Cannes clapping along.

Xavier Giannoli has written and directed shorts and documentaries since 1993. His film The Interview was awarded the Golden Palm for Best Short Film at Cannes in 1998. He directed his first feature in 2003, the critically acclaimed drama Eager Bodies, (COL•COA 2004), starring Laura Smet and Nicolas Devauchelle. Devauchelle also stars in his 2005 An Affair, where he falls in love with a sleepwalker played by Ludivine Sagnier (Swimming Pool, 8 Women).

“Giannoli's script paints a beautifully nuanced portrait of two people reaching out for something neither fully comprehends.” (Variety)

"Gérard Depardieu hasn’t been as poignant, as inspired, since Maurice Pialat’s Under the Sun of Satan." (Première)

“Depardieu's Alain and de France's Marion are two of the most fully realized characters on the big screen this year.” (European-films.net)





Theater 2 – 5:45 PM

COL•COA.doc
GENERAL STORE
Documentary – West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Chantal Briet
Written by: Chantal Briet
Produced by: Ludovic Arnal
With: (In their own role) Ali Zebboudj, Jeanine Anne, Anne-Marie Pigeard, Jamaa Hemmou, Cyprien Gian, Roberto Melias, Akram Azzouz, Rabbah Seridj

In search of Utopia in the poor suburbs of Paris, Chantal Briet took her camera and went to Épinay-sur-Seine, a run-down multi-ethnic housing project. Over four years, she filmed at Ali’s, a unique grocery store where people find warmth and a sense of community missing in their bleak surroundings. The General Store is a story of urban alienation, hope and dignity, all the more relevant after the 2005 riots in Paris suburbs.

Chantal Briet studied Modern Literature and trained at the ESRA film school. She has directed ten films (shorts and documentaries) and teaches documentary filmmaking at Marne-la-Vallée University. Her first feature, The General Store won the Grand Jury Prize at Documenta Festival in Madrid (Spain) and the Best Feature-length Documentary prize at Festival DocLisboa in Lisboa (Portugal).

“With an incredibly unobtrusive camera, director Chantal Briet tracks the comings and goings of these ordinary people as they buy their groceries then stay and gossip with the film's unsung hero, store owner Ali, an amateur singer who helps bridge the various communities.” (Now Toronto)

“Sure, there is violence, but what one notices is the generosity and the solidarity of the people: a viewpoint that is very far from the 8 o’clock news clichés.” (Studio Magazine)

Theater 1 – 8:30 PM

COULD THIS BE LOVE (Je crois que je l’aime)
Romantic Comedy - North American Premiere
Directed by: Pierre Jolivet
Written by: Pierre Jolivet and Simon Michaël
Produced by: Frédéric Bourboulon, Pierre Kubel, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar
With: Vincent Lindon, Sandrine Bonnaire, François Berléand, Kad Merad, and Liane Foly

Vincent Lindon (The Cost of Living (COL•COA 2004), The School of Flesh, Betty Blue) is Lucas, a rich CEO who is just emerging from a devastating love affair. Sandrine Bonnaire (The Light (COL•COA 2005), Vagabond, A Judgment in Stone) is Elsa, a pretty artist who has been commissioned to decorate his company’s entrance hall. Irresistibly drawn to Elsa but lacking self-confidence, Lucas hires a high-tech detective to find out why such a dazzlingly beautiful woman is still single.

Pierre Jolivet started his career with Luc Besson on The Last Battle and Subway (1985), and then became popular with Fred (1997) and My Little Business (1999). Simon Michaël has worked with Pierre Jolivet on many films: they co-wrote Zim and Co., Only Girls and My Little Business, presented during the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. Simon Michaël also wrote the screenplay of two box office successes: My New Partner (1990) and The Jackpot! (1991), remade in the US as True Lies.

“A fairy tale on screen, French, universal and terribly romantic” (Positif)

“Guaranteed entertainment” (Le Monde)

“Impeccable lines and cast” (Les Inrockuptibles)

Followed by a Q&A with co-writer Simon Michaël

Theater 2 – 8:30 PM

LA VIE EN ROSE (La Môme) (2nd Screening)
Biopic/Musical/Drama - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Olivier Dahan
Written by: Olivier Dahan
Produced by: Timothy Burrill, Alain Goldman, Marc Jenny, Oldrich Mach, Catherine With: Marion Cotillard, Gérard Depardieu, Sylvie Testud, Clotilde Courau, Jean-Paul Rouve, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner, Catherine Allégret

Torch singer Edith Piaf (1915-1963) rose from poverty to become a national icon in France and a beloved singer around the world. She sang songs that reflected her joys and pains with a strong and poignant voice. Starring Marion Cotillard (Taxi, A Very Long Engagement, Big Fish, A Good Year), La Vie en Rose takes us from the slums of Paris to Carnegie Hall on an epic journey through Edith Piaf’s tragic and larger-than-life story.

Before making films, Olivier Dahan was a painter and studied at the Marseille School of Art. His first feature Brothers (1994) was selected for the Berlin International Festival. He then tried various genres: fantasy, film noir and drama. In 2003, very interested in his aesthetic and visual style, Luc Besson and producer Alain Goldman asked him to direct the blockbuster Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse. He has also directed short films and music videos for IAM, MC Solaar, The Cranberries and many others.

“Versatile, always spot-on thesp Marion Cotillard surpasses herself as the waiflike French songbird whose personal traumas fueled her art.” (Variety)

"Marion Cotillard’s feral portrait of the French singer Edith Piaf a captive wild animal hurling herself at the bars of her cage is the most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another I’ve ever encountered in a film." (New York Times)

“The script is so efficient that it’s hard to catch your breath” (Première)

Followed by a Q&A with writer/director Olivier Dahan





FRIDAY 20

FILM NOIR NIGHT

Theater 2 – 4:30 PM

THE RIGHT OF THE WEAKEST (La Raison du plus faible)
Thriller/Drama - US Premiere
Directed by: Lucas Belvaux
Written by: Lucas Belvaux
Produced by: Patrick Sobelman and Diana Elbaum
With: Eric Caravaca, Lucas Belvaux, Claude Semal, Patrick Descamps, Natacha Régnier, Elie Belvaux, Gilbert Melki

A film noir about poverty and social injustice, The Right of the Weakest is the story of four men, a woman and a child brought together by misfortune in Liège, Belgium. After meeting Marc, a former criminal, they decide to attempt a desperate armed robbery to resolve their money issues.

As an actor, Lucas Belvaux has worked with some of the greatest directors: Losey, Zulawski, Ferreri, Chabrol, Rivette. He directed his first movie in the 90’s, the critically acclaimed Parfois trop d’amour. After making the hit comedy Just For a Laugh, (COLCOA 1998) Belvaux directed a trilogy: An Amazing Couple, On the Run and After Life. This very ambitious and original project was awarded the Louis-Delluc prize.

“Don’t miss this new cinematographic punch.” (Paris Match)

“Flashes of Ken Loach-like situational humor crossed with the unrelenting social challenges of the Dardenne Bros. come to mind.“ (Variety)

“A lyrical and rebellious social film noir.” (Le Monde)

Theater 2 – 7:30 PM

COUNTER INVESTIGATION (Contre-enquête)
Drama/Thriller - Premiere
Directed by: Franck Mancuso
Written by: Franck Mancuso
Produced by: Patrick Gimenez and Romain Le Grand
With: Jean Dujardin, Laurent Lucas, Agnès Blanchot, Aurélien Recoing, Jean-Pierre Cassel

When the daughter of Police Detective Malinowski (Jean Dujardin, Cash Truck (COLCOA 2004), OSS 117) is raped and killed, his colleagues work quickly to find a suspected murderer who will confess to committing the crime. Daniel Eckmann (Laurent Lucas, Pola X, The Ordeal, Who Killed Bambi?) is put in jail but soon after starts writing to Malinowski, pleading for his innocence. Even though he refuses to hear what the murderer has to say, Malinowski starts questioning the facts and launches his own counter-investigation.

Franck Mancuso was a high-profile police detective for 20 years. He became a consultant for a French detective TV series, then was asked to collaborate and eventually write an episode. He realized he had to choose between being a cop or a writer, and chose to write. He then co-wrote the screenplay of the widely popular film noir 36 (COL•COA 2005), soon to be remade in the US, starring Georges Clooney and Robert de Niro. Counter Investigation is his directorial debut.

A tough whodunit developed with a well tied up intrigue, a suspense which does not slacken until the last second, authentic and well scripted characters. (Le Figaroscope)

The movie meets its expectations thanks to the outstanding quality of the cast … and its final twist. (Le Journal du Dimanche)

Theater 2 – 10:30 PM

THE SNAKE (Le Serpent)
Thriller - North American Premiere
Directed by: Eric Barbier
Written by: Eric Barbier, Ted Lewis, and Trân-Minh Nam
Produced by: Olivier Delbosc, Eric Jehelmann, Marc Missonnier, Pierre Rambaldi, and Eric Zaouali
With: Yvan Attal, Clovis Cornillac, Pierre Richard, Simon Abkarian, Minna Haapkylä, Olga Kurylenko, and Gérald Laroche

Vincent’s life becomes a nightmare when Plender, a former classmate, comes back into his life to harass him. With a fierce anger fueled by a relentless desire for vengeance, Plender is determined to destroy Vincent by all means: manipulation, murder, kidnapping, blackmail…. Yvan Attal (Munich, The Interpreter, Rush Hour 3) faces Clovis Cornillac (Skyfighters (COL•COA 2006), The Story of my Life, (COL•COA 2005), Gilles’ Wife) in this nerve-wracking thriller based on a novel by Ted Lewis.

Eric Barbier’s first film Le Brasier (1990), a saga about mine workers in France in the thirties, was a very ambitious project. It won the Jean Vigo prize but it took so much out of him that he waited ten years to go back to cinema with Toreros, a movie about his passion for bull fights. Eric Barbier has also directed numerous commercials. The Snake is his third film.

“A good thriller with an attractive cast” (Paris Match)

“The Snake is a pure stylistic composition and Éric Barbier hits the viewer with punches of polished shots. Hitchcock and De Palma are obvious influences. In all this avalanche of French neo whodunits, The Snake is definitely the most stylish one.” (Première)


Theater 1 – 5:15 PM

TWICE UPON A TIME (Désaccord parfait)
Comedy/Romance - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Antoine de Caunes
Written by: Antoine de Caunes, Jeanne Le Guillous and Peter Stuart
Produced by: Pierre Kubel, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar
With: Charlotte Rampling, Jean Rochefort, Isabelle Nanty

Cult French director Louis Ruinard (Jean Rochefort, Ridicule, The Clockmaker of St Paul, The Iron Mask) and his muse, London stage actress Alice d’Abanville (Charlotte Rampling, Heading South (COL•COA 2006), Stardust Memories, The Verdict, Swimming Pool), formed one of the most flamboyant on and off screen couples of the seventies. Thirty years have passed since their abrupt separation, and then Alice is asked to present him with a lifetime achievement award in London.

A TV personality in France and Great Britain, Antoine De Caunes was the host of Les Enfants du Rock, Rapido, Nulle Part Ailleurs and Eurotrash (with Jean-Paul Gaultier). His inventive and hilarious skits à la Saturday Night Live have now become cult classics. After directing his first film Love Bites, an adaptation of a Tonino Benacquista novel, he directed Monsieur N., a film about Napoleon. Twice Upon a Time is his third feature.

“The situations are funny, the dialogues animated and the supporting roles well-scripted”…”French spirit, British humor, a tasteful cocktail.” (Le Figaro)

“Jean Rochefort and Charlotte Rampling make a very charming couple.” (Le Monde)

Followed by a Q&A with writer/director Antoine de Caunes

Theater 1 – 8:30 PM

PARIS, JE T’AIME
Drama/Romance/Comedy - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen, Alexander Payne, Olivier Assayas, etc.
Written by: Gena Rowlands, Alexander Payne, etc.
Produced by: Matthias Batthyany, Emmanuel Benbihy, etc.
With: Gena Rowlands, Gérard Depardieu, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Ben Gazzara, Gaspard Ulliel, Nick Nolte, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Steve Buscemi, etc.

Created by a team of directors as cosmopolitan as the city itself, this portrait of Paris is as diverse as its creators’ backgrounds and nationalities. With each director telling the story of an unusual encounter in one of the city’s neighborhoods, the vignettes go beyond the ‘postcard’ view of Paris to portray aspects of the city rarely seen on the big screen.

Racial tensions stand next to paranoid visions of the city seen from the perspective of an American tourist. A young foreign worker moves from her own domestic situation into her employer’s bourgeois environs. An American starlet finds escape as she is shooting a movie. A man is torn between his wife and his lover. A young man working in a print shop sees and desires another young man. A father grapples with his complex relationship with his daughter. A couple tries to add spice to their sex life. These are but a few of the witty and serendipitous narratives that make up “Paris, je t’aime.”

“Paris, je t’aime is truly a love declaration to cinema.” (Télérama)

“Twenty different directors tackle 18 of Paris' most distinctive neighborhoods with close to 20-20 artistic vision in Paris, je t’aime.” (Variety)

Followed by a Q&A with writer/director Olivier Assayas



SATURDAY 21

Theater 2 – 12:30 PM

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (Changement d’adresse) (2nd Screening)
Romantic comedy - Los Angeles Premiere
Directed by: Emmanuel Mouret
Written by: Emmanuel Mouret
Producer: Frédéric Niedermayer
With: Frédérique Bel, Emmanuel Mouret, Fanny Valette, Dany Brillant, and Ariane Ascaride

This comedy of manners follows the joys, frustrations and various changes of address of David (Emmanuel Mouret), a clumsy and painfully shy French-horn player. As he arrives in Paris in search of a job and a place to live, he soon finds himself sharing a room (and occasionally, a bed) with ditzy yet romantic Anne (Frédérique Bel, The Russian Dolls) while also falling in love with Julia (Fanny Valette, Little Jerusalem), his quiet and introverted student.

Born in 1971, Emmanuel Mouret is widely considered the most “Rohmerian” writer/director of his generation. A FEMIS graduate, he writes, directs and acts in his films. After directing his first feature, Laissons Lucie faire! (2000), he gained recognition with his two following films, Venus and Fleur (2004) and Change of address (2006), both presented at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. Venus and Fleur was screened in 2005 at COL•COA.

“Cast couldn't be better, and Mouret, though onscreen the whole time, always gives his fellow thesps the spotlight.” (Variety)

“Nerd meets ditz in this cute romantic comedy that pairs cuddly, chatty Parisians. Emmanuel Mouret writes and directs this diverting tale of a match made by rent.” (Chicago Sun Times)

“A fantastic simple story that just happens to be one of the best romantic comedies I’ve seen in years.” (Filmbrats.com)


Theater 1 – 2:30 PM

MON COLONEL
Drama/History/War - West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Laurent Herbiet
Written by: Costa-Gavras, Jean-Claude Grumberg. Based on the novel by: Francis Zamponi
Produced by: Salem Brahimi, Costa-Gavras, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, and Michèle Ray-Gavras
With: Olivier Gourmet, Robinson Stévenin, Cécile De France, Charles Aznavour, Bruno Solo, Eric Caravaca

A political film co-written by Costa-Gavras, Mon Colonel exposes the use of torture by French troops during the colonial war in Algeria. Young Lieutenant Guy Rossi is trapped between the cold logic of Colonel Duplan and the “special powers” law voted by the French Parliament, de facto condoning of the use of torture. Taking place in both present day France and during the war, Mon Colonel addresses issues that are still hard to grapple within contemporary French society.

Laurent Herbiet has worked as assistant director to Alain Resnais, Claude Lelouch and Roman Coppola. He also contributed to last year’s hit comedy, You Are So Beautiful as a technical advisor. Starring Olivier Gourmet (The Child, The Ax (COL•COA 2005), Safe Conduct (COLCOA 2002), Rosetta) as the vicious Colonel and Robinson Stévenin (His Brother, Bad Company) as the young misled soldier, Mon Colonel is Laurent Herbiet’s directorial debut.
“The film's most powerful component is the dialogue between Rossi and Duplan, a character worthy of Joseph Conrad.” (Variet