Claude Lelouch's 'We Love You, You Bastard' Wins Audience Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival Inaugural The Wave Film Festival.
July 15-19, 2015 - THE WAVE FESTIVAL - FRENCH CINEMA
MICKEY DUZDEVICH NAMED THE WAVE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Santa Barbara, CA –SBIFF’s brand new summer film showcase “The Wave Film Festival” concluded on Sunday with Claude Lelouch's heartfelt family saga We Love You, You Bastard named as Audience Award winner. This first edition focused solely on an eclectic mix of eleven brand new French films. The five-day festival began Wednesday July 16 and concluded Sunday, July 20, 2014 at the Riviera Theatre.
Said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, “Due to its success with over 3 thousand attendees, we have decided to return next Spring with a Spanish and Latin America edition, along with the 2nd French WAVE next July. I'm also thrilled to name long time SBIFF programmer Mickey Duzdevich as The Wave Festival director. As we approach our 30th anniversary, it's fantastic that we're able to expand SBIFF's vision and programming.”
Says Mickey Duzdevich, "The Wave was a huge success and left patrons with a new joy for French cinema. It was a delight to bring the culture of France to our own Riviera and give the moviegoer an enhanced experience. We look forward to the future of The Wave Film Festival and we're excited to share the beauty of cinema from all over the world.”
We Love You, You Bastard (Salaud, on t'aime) is Claude Lelouch's 44th feature film. French rock icon Johnny Hallyday plays Jacques, a retired war photographer attempting to live a peaceful life in the Alps. With a new girlfriend, Nathalie, he appears content, but his old friend Frédéric, played by another singing idol, Eddy Mitchell, knows better. There is a little matter of four daughters, each one from a different conquest, each one estranged from him, and each leaving their shadow on Jacques’ emotional life. Realizing that reconciliation is the thing Jacques craves most, Frédéric, a doctor, concocts a little lie to convince the daughters to visit their absentee father. Well, not so little. In fact, it’s a really big lie, and as the family gathers, as accounts are settled through tears and laughter, the lie gets harder and harder to retract. The luminous lineup of female stars includes a radiant Sandrine Bonnaire.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, presented by UGG® Australia, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary January 27 – February 7, 2015. Dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema, SBIFF will offer 12 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums that range from American indie films to world cinema and everything in-between. With its commitment to cultural diversity and powerful storytelling, SBIFF transforms beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, CA into a rich destination for film lovers, attracting more than 85,000 attendees. SBIFF brings to the forefront the importance and power of the art of filmmaking and continues its commitment to providing free children’s education and community outreach programs through its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. The annual 25% sale on passes and packages for SBIFF starts July 21 and runs through August 31. To purchase or for more information, log onto www.sbfilmfestival.org or call 805-963-0023.
-OFFICIAL SBIFF PRESS RELEASE-
Edited by Vanessa McMahon