Kolkata, February 16, 2024 – – Nearly 35 years to the day after the last visit to Kolkata by the then French president, François Mitterrand, who came to award the iconic filmmaker from Bengal Satyajit Ray the highest French decoration, France once again celebrates cinema in Kolkata with great pomp through the inaugural edition of the French Film Festival. A lineup that shares with a cinephile audience the best of French Cinema over 9 days from 16th-24th February at Nandan.
- Tailored for the Indian Audience: Recognizing the unique tastes of the Indian audience, the festival proudly presents French cinema, known for its diversity in cinematic brilliance. From high-quality animation films targeting young audiences to renowned recent French releases like “Three Musketeers Part II: Milady” and “Jungle Bunch, ” having their national premieres at the festival,there is something for everyone.
- The inaugural ceremony of the 1st Edition of the French Film Festival Kolkata has been adorned with the esteemed presence of actor Anil Kapoor, director Anurag Kashyap, Actor-Musician- Fand acclaimed actress Rituparna Sengupta, Model-Actress, Richa Sharma.
- Screenings: 60 screenings featuring 28 full-length films Following the screenings each evening during the Film Festival, there will be panel discussions on various film sections featuring specialists, eminent filmmakers, and actor from film fraternity of Bengal and beyond.
- Within the framework of this festival there will be the 9 hours of short film screening on 23rd February evening to 24th February morning (9:00 pm-6:00 am) at Park Mansions Courtyard.
- The festival will cover 4 sections- French New Wave, French Contemporary Films, Films for Young Audience and Indian Filmmakers featured in Cannes Film Festival.
Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance française and the Director of the 1st ever French Film Festival in Kolkata noted: As co-creator of this festival together with our Consul General I am thrilled to welcome Bollywood personalities Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap together with Tollywood star Rituparna Sengupta and Director Gautam Ghosh. Cinema unites people, inspires, stirring our souls and igniting our imagination. In the dim-lit sanctuaries of theaters, we are transported to distant lands, where we walk alongside captivating characters and immerse ourselves in diverse cultures. Despite the vast expanse that separates us, the universal language of talent unites us all, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. As we eagerly anticipate the inaugural edition of the French Film Festival, spanning eight enchanting days from the 16th of February, we will connect bridges between Bengal and France. In the vibrant city of Kolkata, where literature and cinema intertwine, we celebrate the rich heritage and the newest productions of french and Indian cinema.
Mr Anil Kapoor, Indian Actor-Director-Producer said, “I started my career here in Bengal way back in 1980s. This is one of the best cinema destinations and both France and Bengal have some best filmmakers. “
Actor Rituparna Sengupta said “France is my favourite place and Paris is my favourite destination. We are connected by an emotional bond.”
IT IS ALWAYS VERY EXCITING TO START A NEW AND
AMBITIOUS PROJECT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS TO DO
WITH CULTURE. INDIA IS A GREAT COUNTRY FOR
CINEMA, ONE OF THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD. SO IS
FRANCE. THEREFORE THE NEWLY BORN « 1ST FRENCH
FILM FESTIVAL OF KOLKATA » (FFFK) IS A PROMISING
ENTERPRISE. AND WITH A LARGE SCOPE : NO LESS
THAN NINE DAYS OF DURATION (PLUS ONE FULL NIGHT
DEVOTED TO SHORT FILMS) AND DOZENS OF
SCREENINGS FOR ALL KIND OF TASTES (RECENT
FRENCH MOVIES – ONE OF THEM WAS ACTUALLY
REALEASED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO IN THE
FRENCH CINEMA HALLS ! –
, A WINK TO THE « NOUVELLE
VAGUE » CINEMA, FILMS FOR YOUNGSTERS). BUT
THERE IS EVEN MORE. THIS 1ST FFFK WILL PAY A
DESERVED TRIBUTE TO SOME PROMINENT FILM
MAKERS AND ACTORS FROM WEST-BENGAL AND FROM
ALL INDIA.
THIS FESTIVAL WAS SOMEHOW « MISSING » IN THE
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE VIBRANT KOLKATA.
NOW, THANKS TO ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DU BENGALE,
GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL, FRENCH CONSULATE
IN KOLKATA AND TO THE MANY PROFESSIONALS AND
SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT US, IT FINALLY EXISTS.
-DIDIER TALPAIN
CONSUL GENERAL OF FRANCE IN KOLKATA