Wave of French films set to hit Toronto

21/08/2008

Led by Jean-Francois Richet’s much-awaited Death Instinct (see news) – the first instalment of a two-part film about the gangster Jacques Mesrine, which will screen at the gala presentation – a wave of French films will unfurl over the 33rd Toronto International Film Festival (September 4-13), with almost 40 productions and co-productions selected.

Pre-sold internationally by Kinology at the latest Cannes Film Festival, Death Instinct stars Vincent Cassel, Cécile de France, Gérard Depardieu, Roy Dupuis and Gilles Lellouche. The title will be released domestically by Pathé on October 22. The second instalment, Public Enemy Number One – whose cast includes Cassel, Ludivine Sagnier, Mathieu Amalric, Gérard Lanvin, Samuel Le Bihan and Olivier Gourmet – will hit screens on November 19.

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Besides this world premiere, Toronto has also selected for its Gala section Anne Fontaine’s La fille de Monaco [+see also:
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The Special Presentations line-up also has some impressive titles in store. These include François Dupeyron’s Aide-toi le ciel t'aidera (“Help Yourself and Heaven Will Help You”); Inju [+see also:
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film profile] by Claire Denis (which have both been selected for the Venice Film Festival); Christophe Barratier’s Faubourg 36 [+see also:
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film profile] (which today has its international premiere when it opens the Montreal World Film Festival); Martin Provost’s French/Belgian co-production Séraphine [+see also:
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film profile] by Arnaud Desplechin and I’ve Loved You So Long [+see also:
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film profile] by Philippe Claudel.

Also set to screen in competition at the Venice Film Festival, Werner Schroeter’s French/German/Portuguese co-production That Night [+see also:
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The Contemporary World Cinema line-up includes Safy Nebbou’s Mark of an Angel [+see also:
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The Discovery section will present Arnaud des Pallières’ Park [+see also:
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film profile] by directorial duo Joana Hadjithomas - Khalil Joreige.

Other French features set to be showcased at Toronto include Pascal Laugier’s powerful Martyrs [+see also:
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film profile] (“Agnes’ Beaches”) in the Women Documentary section; and Jacques-Rémy Girerd’s animated film Mia et le Migou in Sprockets Family Zone.