A Prophet (2009)
Directors: Jacques Audiard
Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi, Reda Kateb, Antoine Basler, Gilles Cohen, Pascal Henault, Foued Nassah, Jean-Emmanuel Pagni
A vulnerable young Arabic man gets thrust into a hellish prison, and ironically discovers greater opportunities for success than he ever possessed on the outside. When Malik, a petty criminal, is incarcerated for six years, he is soon co-opted by a brutal Corsican gang to join their criminal activities. He quickly finds he has no other choice than to cooperate. Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2010.
A word by Karine Mauris, Cultural Attachée
Audiard has once again produced an intelligent work, providing many points of reflection on our contemporaries and featuring an anti-hero at a turning point in his life. In the cold and soulless setting of Nice’s central prison, we witness the rise of a young criminal with the face of an angel and a good heart, but with a strong character and remarkable intelligence, despite the fact that he can neither read nor write. The latter is played with accuracy and brilliance by Tahar Rahim, an actor who was unknown to the general public at the time, but who has since become a key player in French and international cinema (Le Serpent, the Mauritanian…). One of our best French films without any doubt.
Amour (2012)
Directors: Michael Haneke
Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud, William Shimell, Ramón Agirre, Rita Blanco, Carole Franck, Dinara Drukarova, Laurent Capelluto, Jean-Michel Monroc
Director Michael Haneke’s heartbreaking film starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and Isabelle Huppert, won the Palme d’Or in 2012. Georges and Anne are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter lives in Britain with her family. When Anne has a stroke, George and his daughter’s love for their mother is tested by her decline.
A word by Karine Mauris, Cultural Attachée
We are faced with a film which is on a par with the best in cinema. “Amour” is a jewel of delicacy and sobriety on an increasingly important social issue and on a universal and timeless theme: love. So don’t miss out on a masterpiece that has brought together juries, critics and, more importantly, spectators from all cultures. See it now.
My Summer In Provence (2014)
Directors: Rose Bosch
Cast: Jean Reno, Anna Galiena, Chloé Jouannet, Hugo Dessioux, Aure Atika, Lukas Pelissier, Tom Leeb, Jean-Michel Noirey
In this touching film, Lea, Adrian, and their little brother Theo, born deaf, go on holiday in Provence with their grandfather, Paul ‘Oliveron’ (Jean Reno, Leon, The Professional) they never met because of a family quarrel. Unfortunately, it is not the holidays they dreamed, especially after their father announced that he was leaving the house. In less than 24 hours, it is the clash of generations between the teens and their grandfather.
A word by Karine Mauris, Cultural Attachée
A human, true film, which smells of Provence with a successful and breathtaking clash of generations that makes us laugh, cry, dream, think of our childhood with our grandparents. The magical landscape of Provence, the Alpilles, and the actors are formidable. We are simply invigorated by the joy of living, the gaiety that emanates from the film, just as if we were on holiday and had spent a superb evening with friends!
