Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Presents
A Week of French Language Cinema in Los Angeles
Critically Acclaimed Francophonic Films w/ English Subtitles
Six Nights of FREE Screenings
Mon. March 16 through Sat. March 21, 2015

Part of the Global 2015 Celebration of La Francophonie
In Collaboration with the Consulates of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada;
the Quebec Government Office in LA, TV5Monde, and
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 26, 2015 – For the sixth year, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK) presents A Week of French Language Cinema in Los Angeles, with FREE nightly screenings of critically acclaimed Francophonic films, from Monday, March 16 to Saturday, March 21, 2015. The program includes notable films from Belgium (3/16), Ivory Coast (3/17), Canada (3/18), Switzerland (3/19), Quebec (3/20), and France (3/21). All films include subtitles in English and nightly screenings start at 7:30pm. Monday’s opening night and Saturday’s closing night screenings are preceded by receptions at 7:00pm. A no host bar will be available Tuesday through Thursday. Friday’s event will feature a free beer tasting. RSVP to rsvp.trk@lyceela.org with name, email address, number of people attending, and the screening(s) you would like to attend.

Films are suitable for audiences ages 13 and up unless otherwise noted below. Admission is FREE! This program is presented in collaboration with the Consulates of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada; the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles; TV5Monde; and Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles. Sponsors are Unibroue, Anthony & Vincent Chalvon-Demersay, and KCRW. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles is located at 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310-286-0553). To learn more about Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, please visit http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com.

“This collection of short films, features, and animation celebrates the richness and talent in the international Francophone filmmaking community,” says Pierre Leloup, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Director. “This event is part of the celebration of the global 2015 Celebration of La Francophonie, which is held annually around the world in March to recognize French language cultural diversity and dialogue of culture.”

Additional La Francophonie events at TRK in March include Paris-based sextet Les Yeux Noirs In Concert, bringing an infectious Gypsy-Klezmer-Yiddish meld of music to Los Angeles on Saturday, March 7, 2015. TRK’s monthlong local 2015 Celebration of La Francophonie also includes the play Une Nuit Radieuse (A Radiant Night) by Jean Winiger, about the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, on Monday, March 23, 2015. Furthermore, the American artist Carol Bishop will exhibit Le Corbusier and the Modernist Legacy, a series of photo-paintings that highlight Le Corbusier’s iconic structures. The works will be on view from Monday, March 16 to Monday, March 23, 2015 in the courtyard in front of the theater prior to TRK’s La Francophonie events.

Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier
Photo-Painting by Carol Bishop

Schedule –
Monday, March 16, 2015 • Belgium
Opening Reception with Free Beer Tasting: 7:00pm; Screening: 7:30pm
Opening night event is sponsored by TV5Monde and the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles.
• Bowling Killers – 10 min.
In this short comedy, Tony and Simon are bowling champions by passion and hit men by necessity. Before an important match, they have a contract to execute.
Directed by Sébastien Petit
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye6Abrbpnag

• Les âmes de papiers (Paper Souls) – 90 min.
A funeral speechwriter gets a new lease on life when he is hired by a widow to write a eulogy about her husband. This comedy won the Jury Award for Best Feature at the Stony Brook Film Festival (2014).
Directed by Vincent Lannoo
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_24Rcr6pmI

Tuesday, March 17, 2015 • Ivory Coast
Screening: 7:30pm
• Aya de Yopougon – 84 min.
Based on the graphic novel Aya of Yop City, the film follows 19-year old Aya who tries to help a friend who gets pregnant. Nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film at the César Awards (2014).
Directed by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2DS28bwTg

Wednesday, March 18, 2015 • Canada
Screening: 7:30pm
• Félix & Meira – 105 min.
A young married woman from Montreal’s Orthodox Jewish community finds freedom from the strictures of her faith through a relationships with a young man grieving over the death of his estranged father. This drama won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival (2014).
Directed by Maxime Giroux
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/105251811

Thursday, March 19, 2015 • Switzerland
Screening: 7:30pm
• Le Doigt d’honneur (The Finger) – 14 min.
Two brothers, one sister, and their dead father at his funeral. A signet ring that won’t come off of the deceased represents the opportunity to settle scores. Winner of the International Audience Award (Next Generation) at the Brussels Short Film Festival (2014). The director will be present at the screening.
Directed by Malika Pellicioli
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/103251742

• Left Foot Right Foot – 105 min.
Captures the awkward transition from youth to adulthood as 19-year-old Marie is tempted by luxury and falls slowly into prostitution. Jury Special Mention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (2014). Age restriction: 18+.
Directed by Germinal Roaux
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/75700739

Friday, March 20, 2015 • Quebec
Screening: 7:30pm
Event includes a free beer tasting sponsored by Unibroue.
• Les maîtres du suspense (The Masters of Suspense) – 90 min.
When the longtime ghostwriter for a bestselling author starts to suffer from writer’s block, a second ghostwriter (a childcare educator) is hired in this comedy.
Directed by Stéphane Lapointe
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/106595135

Saturday, March 21, 2015 • France
Closing Reception with Free Wine Tasting 7:00pm; Screening: 7:30pm
Closing night event is sponsored by TV5Monde and the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles.
• Sweet Cocoon – 6 min.
A caterpillar about to undergo her metamorphosis finds her cocoon is much too small to squeeze into. Two helpful insects come to her aid.
Directed by Matéo Bernard, Matthias Bruget, Jonathan Duret, Manon Marco, and Quentin Puiraveau
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R-u4EORwsc

• Respire (Breathe) – 91 min.
A tale of two teenage girls who develop an intense and dangerous friendship. In January 2015, the film received three Lumières Award nominations and two César Award nominations. The director is also a well-known French actress (Inglorious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino).
Directed by Mélanie Laurent
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXncAEif-zY

A Week of French Language Cinema in Los Angeles
To view trailer, click image above or: https://vimeo.com/119601344

La Francophonie –
Every year around the world, March is the official month of La Francophonie, with celebrations in dozens of countries to honor the vibrant global French community. The monthlong festival celebrates the international French speaking populace (referred to by the term La Francophonie). Nearly 11 million people claim French ancestry in the United States, according to the 2010 census, with over 2 million speaking the French language at home. French is an official language in 33 countries on 5 continents. It is the second most commonly studied foreign language in the world with nearly a half billion speakers globally.

The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents this large international linguistic community and supports projects around the world during the annual Celebration of La Francophonie in March. In addition to sharing a common language, members also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. Its four main missions are:
• to promote the French language and its cultural as well as linguistic diversity
• to promote peace, democracy, and human rights
• to support education, training, higher education, and research
• to develop cooperation for sustainable development.

Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz –
Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz is a non-profit institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in the West Los Angeles area. This 220-seat theater welcomes multidisciplinary and multicultural shows. TRK’s mission is to be an open window on French and international cultures, as well as to inspire and sustain a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Links –
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Event Page – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/2014/10/03/a-week-of-french-language-cinema-2
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Raymond-Kabbaz/43864706321
• Facebook Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/343691355814621
• Festival Trailer – https://vimeo.com/119601344

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For more information, photos, or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.

Les Yeux Noirs
(photo credit: Laurent Prost)