I V Y Paris News

ÉCU European Independent Film Festival 2009

Will Hutchins writing for I V Y paris

The fourth annual edition of the ÉCU European Independent Film Festival set up camp last weekend at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France François-Mitterand in order to splash a little limelight on some of the continent’s aspiring indie cinéastes.

A line-up of shorts, documentaries and feature length films from Europe and a few from the globe’s other corners was on show to Paris’ cinema loving public, as well q and a sessions with some of the directors, and the chance to attend workshops on editing and screenwriting.

Walking through the often Star Wars looking aesthetic of the BNF François-Mitterand at the weekend, one could tell that this was very much a global affair with the large amount of Anglophones present, plus the fact that it’s a festival for the whole of Europe, meaning that English was the default language ahead of French.
And obviously there were many English language films being shown from the UK and US (and surprisingly even France with the student horror spoof ‘Til Death Do Us Part’).

Amongst the standouts of which was ‘Captive’, the sinister critique of big business by Gus Alvarez, Mark Gutteridge’s ‘Intercom’ starring the superb Marc Warren and on the more abstract side the sensory experience of the claustrophobically lit ‘The Flies’ directed by Josh Collier.

Cinéma du Réel

March 5 through March 17, 2009

Since it was created 30 years ago, the Cinéma du Réel has become the outstanding international documentary film festival in France.

Open to a wide diversity of writing, forms, and ideas, it now gathers a faithful, curious and broad-based public. Festival screenings at: the Centre Pompidou, the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, the MK2 Beaubourg film theatre, the Paris City Hall and several other theatres in the Ile-de- France area.

The festival will feature:

A Tribute to Pierre Perrault
Ten years ago one of the great Quebecois masters of documentary cinema passed away. Filmmaker, poet and writer, Pierre Perrault focused all his attention on the spoken language and man’s relationship with nature.

The International Competition and French Panorama
Some twenty first screenings of short and feature-length films from the four corners of the planet, encounters and discussions with the invited filmmakers. A review of this year’s French documentary production in the authors’ presence.

Jay Gottlieb at L'Archipel Sept. 18.

L'Archipel, situated among a cluster of theatres at Bonne Nouvelle and Strasbourg in the 10eme, plays host to a number of concerts and movie screenings. With a consistently solid lineup of events and beer on tap at the back of the movie hall, it's a good alternative to the Wal-Mart of cinemas, MK2.

Next week, L'Archipel will showcase a double feature of works by composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. First, pianist Jay Gottlieb will be playing selected works from Stockhausen's career, then  L'Archipel will be screening Jean Luc-Goddard's La Chinoise, scored by Stockhausen.

L'Archipel
17 bd de Strasbourg - 75010 PARIS
Métro :Strasbourg Saint-Denis, Château d'Eau

The Return of 3 Days €3 Cinema, Except...

... now it's called Rentrée du Cinéma and costs €3.50 a pop... blame inflation.

If you missed out on the 3 jours, 3 euros event that happened in August, you've been given another chance, grâce à la Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français and a bunch of large corporations.

This is most likely your last chance to do "dinner and a movie" for under 20 euros until next August.

For movies and cinemas, click here.

3 Days, 3 Euro Cinema in Paris

Starting this Sunday the 17th, for three consecutive days, every cinema in Paris will be offering seats for 3 euros a piece.

The Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français (FNCF) and the Mairie de Paris have, for the past six years, held the "trois jours, trois euros" event every August with resounding success because quite frankly there isn't much else to do this time of year.

A list of available movie theaters (organized by arrondissement) can be found here.

Movie listings can be found on Allocine.

Photo:  © F. de la Mure

Summer at La Villette

Now through August 16th, 2008

La Villette Park, Paris' largest park located in the 19th arrondissement, organizes cultural activities and events: expos, concerts, debates throughout the year.

This summer, the park will present it's annual cinema en plein air (outdoor cinema) from the 17th of July to the 26th of August.
For the past 16 years, la Villette has offered large screen film projections right on their lawns. Films are shown in their original versions with french subtitles. You can also rent deck chairs for 6,50 euros.

Program includes screenings of a wide range of films such as Casino, Et Dieu créa la femme, and Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Also, don't miss out on their film marathons:

Clint Eastwood Night, Friday, July 25th 2008
Pedro Almodovar's Women Night, Friday, August 1st 2008
Coppola / Pacino Night, Friday, August 8th, 2008

Program and schedule here.

Small Cinema Session on Mai '68 at the Pavillon Arsenal

Photo: Godard and Coutard shooting "Deux ou trois choses que je sais d'elle", 1966 © DR

On the first Thursday of each month, the Pavillon de l'Arsenal and the Forum des images invite you to their Small Cinema Sessions, screenings of short films and documentaries involving Paris and its surroundings.

This month's edition will serve as an opportunity to remember the events of May '68 along with the Parisian landscape and architectural projects of the time.

Excerpts of news reels, documentaries and dramatic films will include Edouard Luntz's "Lescoeurs verts”  (1996), Jacques Tati's “Playtime” (1967), and Jean Luc Godard's “Deux ou trois choses que je sais d'elle” (1967).

A discussion on the major changes between May '68 and May '08 will also take place, hosted by by François CHASLIN, architect and architecture critic, and Jean-Yves DE LEPINAY, director of programmes at the Forum Des Images.

David Lynch Appearing at Publicisdrugstore

Paris darling and world renowned filmmaker David Lynch will grace us with his intellect at Publicisdrugstore on May 6th to promote his new autobiography Mon Histoire Vraie.

The signing starts at 7pm so be sure to get there early, and anticipate wading through the droves of those desperate souls who must know "was it all a dream!?"

David Lynch at Publicisdrugstore
May 6th at 7 pm
129, avenue des Champs-Elysées
75008 Paris
Métro / RER : Charles De Gaulle-Etoile, George V

Meet Tony Curtis in Paris "Certains l'aiment chaud"

Meet legendary actor Tony Curtis in Paris on Sunday, April 27, 2008 for an afternoon of cinema and a question and answer session. The program includes a screening of Billy Wilder's film classic “Some Like it Hot” starring Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemon as well as the premier of a new documentary on Tony Curtis and his wife Jill.

Sunday, April 27th, 2008, 14h
Hotel Marriott Rive Gauche,
17 Boulevard Saint Jacques
Paris 75014

Tel: 01 40 16 05 35 (call between 10h-19h) to reserve places in advance at 20 euros or pay at the door, 25 euros. Entry price includes screening of two films and Q&A with Tony Curtis followed by refreshments.

All proceeds benefit the Jill and Tony Curtis horse refuge.
Aaawwwww.

Exclusive interview with Berkun Oya, director of ÉCU Film Festival's opening selection "Happy New Year, London"

Adrian K Sanders writing for IVY paris

The ÉCU Independent Film Festival is in its third year, showing for the first time in partnership with the BnF (Bibliotheque Nationale de France) at the grand library.

With more than eighty films by directors from twenty eight countries, it looks to be their strongest showing yet.

Directors and founders Jean-Marie Allin and Scott Hillier were delighted to be showing at the BnF, but consider themselves directors and film lovers first, festival organizers second.

"We want this festival to be for film makers who wouldn't normally have the chance to show to a large audience. Scott and I are directors and we know how exciting it is to have the opportunity to show work on a large stage" Allin said.