Celebrate French cinema at Cinema Akil’s Franco Film Festival

The festival honours the late legendary film director Jean-Luc Godard.

Do you know your Jean-Luc Godard from your Lola Quivoron? If you answered oui, then you’re in for a treat. Dubai’s Cinema Akil is hosting a special French film festival. Now in its 13th edition, Franco Film Festival runs from 10 to 16 March and celebrates French cinema. 

Cinema Akil and the Institut Français UAE have collaborated with the embassies of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland to create the festival. The event showcases films that have all been created in the French language.

Cinema Akil’s Franco Film Festival brings together nine feature films across animation, comedy and drama. The season opens with Alain Ughetto’s animated film, Interdit aux Chiens et aux Italiens, which translates to No Dogs or Italians Allowed. The story draws inspiration from the director’s Italian grandparents who came to live and work in France. 

The season pays tribute to the French-Swiss film director, Jean-Luc Godard, who died in September 2022. To honour the legend, who was a pioneer in the French New Wave movement, the festival is screening his iconic work, Breathless. 

Look out for Lola Quivoron’s Rodeo, which follows a girl infiltrating the male-dominated world of stunt riders. Caroline Monnet’s first feature film Bootlegger offers an insight into prohibition. Other screenings include Delphine Lehericey’s comedy Last Dance, Mounia Meddour’s new film Houria, and Roschdy Zem’s Our Ties. Plus, there are special Q&A sessions with filmmakers. 

Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the United Arab Emirates, explained: “The theme of movement came to us with the death of one of the most emblematic filmmakers: Jean-Luc Godard, leader of the New Wave. This protest movement, represented by a young generation of French filmmakers, advocated freer production methods. Despite its brevity, this movement had a significant influence on French and international cinema and is still felt today in many national cinemas.”

Butheina Kazim, Founder of Cinema Akil, added: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Franco Film Festival’s 13th edition at Cinema Akil. The ability to bring international gems to a culturally diverse audience in Dubai comes with the responsibility of highlighting the art in its original language.”

Tickets to Cinema Akil’s Franco Film Festival are available now and start from AED 50. 

GO: Visit www.cinemaakil.com for more information.