French Film Fest launches with "Tell No One"

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Writer: Nor Inayah Ariffin

The special guests toasting the launch of the festival with glasses of bubbly.

8 May – The 8th French Film Festival, as a part of the French Art Festival, was launched on 7 May at GSC Pavilion, KL. Among the special guests that attended this event were GSC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Koh Mei Lee, Charge d'Affaires of Embassy of France, Mr Charles-Henri Brosseau, Mr. Bruno Plas, Director of the French Alliance, Mr. Jean F. Wasser, General Manager, Best Western Hotel, Mr. Daniel Blaize, Cooperation & Cultural Counsellor of the French Embassy and award-winning local independent filmmakers Tan Chui Mui and Liew Seng Tat.

Guests were feted to a scrumptious spread of gourmet finger food and desserts, not forgetting glasses of Martell, red wine and champagne in the foyer before the official launch. There was also an interesting contraption to serve finger food in a unique way, consisting of a box with holes and a person inside to extend a tray of food through the holes.

The impressive, artsy spread for guests to munch on.

A hand serving snacks through holes in the ‘box'.

Seng Tat and Chui Mui on stage.

Tan Chui Mui took to the podium to share her experience of going to France for the first time three years prior for the Cannes Film Festival, giving her speech in halting French with Liew Seng Tat reading it in English for the benefit of the non French-speaking guests.

"Tell No One" was selected as the film for the opening ceremony. Directed by Guillaume Canet and based on a best-selling novel by Harlan Coben, this mystery thriller is a gripping tale of lies and deception. The film won several awards in 2007 including Best Foreign Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards as well as Best Actor and Best Director, among others, at the Cesar Awards in France.

Guest registration.

Special guests (L-R): Mr Charles-Henri Brosseau, Ms Koh Mei Lee, Tan Chui Mui and Liew Seng Tat.

"Tell No One" is among the eight movies that will be showcased in the annual festival that will be held at GSC Mid Valley and Pavilion, KL from 8 May to 25 May, and GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang from 20 May to 25 May 2008.

Drama and romance seem to be the theme for this year's line-up, which includes films like "If You Love Me Follow Me", "Love Is In The Air", "Read My Lips", "Breathless", "The Story Of My Life", and "I'm Not Here To Be Loved".

Another film not to be missed is "Paris je t'aime", starring Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Elijah Wood. The film is about the plurality of cinema in one mythic location: Paris, the City of Love. 20 filmmakers bring their own personal touch, underlining the wide variety of styles, genres, encounters and the various atmospheres and lifestyles that prevail in the neighbourhoods of Paris.

For a complete list of films, synopses and schedules please refer to the related link below or log on to www.gsc.com.my.

Related links:
French Film Festival returns for 8th year
Cinema Online, 08 May 2008