Florence’s "France Odeon" showcases French films

by c.d.m.

21/10/2010 - Today marks the opening of the France Odeon – Florence French Film Festival, which will close on October 24. Headed by Francesco R. Martinotti, it offers a glimpse of contemporary French cinema, highlighting its great variety. Preview screenings of the year’s best French films will be introduced by those who played a key role in their production – actors, screenwriters, directors and producers.

Launched last year, the festival has immediately established itself as an important showcase for French cinema in Italy. The first edition was attended by many distinguished guests, including directors Claude Miller, Jacques-Rémy Girerd, Anna Novion and Martin Provost, and actors Judith Henry and Anais Demoustiers.

The 2010 edition has got an extra day of programming compared to last year and will screen a total of 12 films. The line-up already includes three important Italian previews, in collaboration with Fandango, Archibald and Sacher: Benoit Delépine and Gustave de Kervern’s Mammuth [trailer, film focus], starring Gerard Depardieu (in competition at the Berlin Film Festival); Olivier Masset-Depasse’s Illegal [trailer, film focus] (presented at the Cannes Film Festival and in competition for the LUX Prize 2010); and The Illusionist [trailer, film focus] by Oscar-winning director Sylvain Chomet, who will be in Florence to present his film.

The festival is an important lynchpin in the bilateral relations between Italy and France and it aims to make Florence a place of meeting and exchange between the two film industries. France Odeon is organised in collaboration with the cultural department of the French Embassy in Italy and the French Institute in Florence. Unifrance and the CNC support the event.

Download the full programme here (pdf 1,1Mb)

(Translated from Italian)