(L-R): Ms. Koh Mei Lee, local actress Siti Saleha, H.E. Mr. Frederic Laplanche and President of Alliance Francaise Kuala Lumpur  Y.A.M. Tengku Zatashah at the launch of Le French Festival 2018.

12 Apr – This year's Le French Festival (LFF) promises an abundance of movies, wines and more under its film festival portion which is currently being held in Malaysia from today until 20 May. Now in its 17th edition, LFF kicks things up a notch by offering a special French wine tasting session after each of the six screenings of "Back to Burgundy" scheduled at four GSC locations.

It is also noted that all the movies presented this year are fairly new, having been released within the last year or two.

"It is said that most people tend to associate French culture with Paris, which is the centre of fashion, cuisine, art and architecture. But as those who have been to the other part of France know, the regions outside of the City of Lights are very varied and to me, it is precisely this multi layers that add to the rich French heritage," said GSC CEO Ms. Koh Mei Lee in her welcome speech.

Ms. Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Screen Cinemas, giving her speech.

"It is also this same richness that I find reflected in their films. French films are not just quintessentially Parisian, there are so many various aspects that the French culture has to offer and each year through the French Film Festival, we are invited to explore them, to peek through the lens into France and its people, and to fall in love with the cinema of France."

There are 16 "lenses" for moviegoers to choose from this year. To name a few: the aforementioned "Back to Burgundy", a 2017 drama film set in a vineyard; "C'est La Vie!", a 2017 comedy that was also the opening film of the festival; and "Two Is A Family", one of the most watched French films internationally last year.

Aside from the film festival, LFF also presents other programmes that include theatrical and musical performances as well as gastronomy experiences for festivalgoers.

H.E. Mr. Frederic Laplanche says he wants to "communicate and share" French culture with everyone.

One such theatrical show is "Amok"; a play adaptation of a short story that is set in Malaysia presented exclusively in Malaysia.

"This is an example of how France is proud to actively support the diversity of cultural creations," said Ambassador of France to Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Frederic Laplanche, before officially launching the 17th Le French Festival in Malaysia.

LFF 2018 takes place in Kuala Lumpur from 12 to 29 April, before moving on to Penang from 3 May to 13 May. It will make its debut in Johor Bahru from 10 to 13 May. The last leg of the film festival will be in Kota Kinabalu, from 17 to 20 May.

To find out more about the 17th Le French Festival including movie showtimes, click HERE.