Films aplenty at Namur
The Namur International Francophone Film Festival (September 27-October 3) unveiled its programme on September 4. Dedicated to Francophone films in all their diversity, the festival gives pride of place to Francophone Europe (i.e. the member countries of the International Francophone Organisation, which include Belgium, Switzerland and Romania).
Only three Belgian festivals are supported by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations) and Namur enjoys this recognition among professionals. This explains why this year’s festival boasts a line-up of over 10 films in international avant-premiere. Belgian titles will of course be presented at the FIFF, which is devoting an entire day of screenings and symposia to Belgian production.
Three titles will screen in avant-premiere, including Nicole Palo’s Get Born, the first in a series of micro-budget films produced by Cinéastes Associés. The project has aroused interest and is part of a strong European scene.
Another enticing title is Karin Albou’s second film, after her much acclaimed Little Jerusalem. In Le Chant des Mariés (“Song of the Newlyweds”), the director tries her hand at a historical theme, following the destiny of two young girls in German-occupied Tunisia.
The FIFF will also offer Belgian viewers the opportunity to discover some Cannes gems, including Claire Simon’s God’s Offices [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (co-produced by Belgium’s La Parti Production); and Palme d’Or winner The Class [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carole Scotta
interview: Laurent Cantet
film profile] by Laurent Cantet.
Romanian films will also be much in evidence, with the selection in competition of Boogie [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Dragos Vîlcu
interview: Radu Muntean
film profile] by Radu Muntean (whose The Paper Will Be Blue won the Jury Prize at Namur in 2006) and screenings of Romanian shorts.
On the competition side, French films will dominate with five majority productions (and a large number of minority productions), led by Christophe Honoré’s new title, La Belle Personne [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (“The Beautiful Person”). Winning films will be announced on October 3.
(Translated from French)
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