French filmmaking holds a special place in the hearts of film lovers. From the earliest actualités of the Lumière Brothers and the phantasms of Georges Méliès; through the poetic realism of Jean Renoir and Marcel Carné; to the worldwide sensation that was the French New Wave, French films have thrilled and delighted audiences the world over, and influenced the art form beyond measure. Contemporary French filmmaking upholds this tradition.

Co-produced by the French-American Cultural Foundation, AFI Silver's inaugural festival of new films from France speaks to the breadth and vitality of today's cinema Français, featuring the latest from greats Claude Chabrol, Chris Marker, Bertrand Blier and Philippe Garrel; work by rising young filmmakers such as Anne Villacèque, Claire Simon and animator Michel Ocelot; and international stars such as Gérard Depardieu, Isabelle Huppert, Carole Bouquet, Monica Bellucci and Emmanuelle Devos.

Presented with the support of Unifrance. Special thanks to Richard Boidin, French ministry of Foreign Affairs; John Kochman, Unifrance; Roland Celette and Antoine Sebire, French Cultural Services, Embassy of France; and Lysbeth Sherman, French American Cultural Foundation.

All films in French with English subtitles unless otherwise noted.

Special "Passport" Price (includes 13 "tickets")
$75 ($60 for AFI Members, seniors)
$35 for students with proper ID

PASSPORTS may only be purchased in person at the AFI Silver Theatre.

NOTE: Passports need to be submitted at the Box Office to receive one free admission per numbered stub (13). PASSPORTS are limited to two admissions per each screening. Redeemable at box office of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center only. Not for resale. Not redeemable for cash and not refundable. Admission subject to ticket availability. Some films may sell out: Redeem Passport at box office for hard tickets as soon as possible. Not applicable to Benoit Jacquot film series.

AFI Member Passes will be accepted at all screenings in the French Film Festival.

COMEDY OF POWER
[L'Ivresse du pouvoir]

AIn Chabrol's latest film, Judge Isabelle Huppert is known in the French judicial system as the "piranha" - a powerful magistrate who recently sanctioned the arrest of CEO François Berléand. But what she doesn't realize is that his company's scandal has tentacles that reach into the government and its dealings with African nations. Her life is upended as her investigation uncovers more corruption than she bargained for. (Tribeca Film Festival)

DIR/SCR Claude Chabrol; SCR Odile Barski; PROD Patrick Godeau. France, 2006, color, 110 min. NR

RIVIERA

A complicated mother-daughter relationship is the focus of this family drama. Set in the picturesque seaside resort of Cote d'Azur, aging single mother Miou-Miou works as a chambermaid in an upscale hotel while her nymphet daughter Vahina Giocante (LILA SAYS) works nights as a go-go dancer. As the two women dream of escape through a Prince Charming, the mother sets her daughter up with a real estate agent who comes calling.

DIR/SCR Anne Villacèque; SCR Chantal Poupaud; PROD Nicholas Blanc. France, 2005, color, 94 min. NR

THE CASE OF THE GRINNING CAT
[Chats perches]

The latest film from the legendary Chris Marker, whose eye, insight and wit astound as ever. Graffiti of grinning cats begins to appear across Paris after the September 11th attacks. Taken with the images, Marker begins a search for who is responsible and what it all means. Ultimately, a dense political and social commentary on subjects ranging from the state of the French youth movement to the Iraq War.

DIR/SCR Chris Marker; PROD Laurence Braunberger. France, 2004, color, 58 min.

LE PETIT LIEUTENANT

Police academy graduate Jalil Lespert is so keen to tackle crimes head-on that he leaves his wife in Normandy to join a plainclothes crime unit in Paris. His new colleagues greet his enthusiasm with good-natured condescension, but he impresses Commandant Nathalie Baye and when the unit investigates a murder Lespert's passion and his partner's disinterest lead to a tragedy that rocks Baye and the department. (San Francisco Film Festival)

DIR/SCR Xavier Beauvois; SCR Cédric Anger, Guillaume Bréaud and Jean-Eric Troubat; PROD Pascal Caucheteux. France, 2005, color, 110 min. NR

KIRIKOU AND THE WILD BEASTS
[Kirikou et les bêtes sauvage]

Tiny Senegalese hero Kirikou became a phenomenon after his first film, KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS (AFI Silver, 2004). In this animated folk tale, Kirikou is back at the center of four separate chapters. When a jealous witch casts an evil spell on his village, Kirikou must use his bravery and intelligence to outwit her and save his village from environmental extinction. A delightful story with charming visual style and subtitles, suitable for children as young as first grade.

DIR/SCR Bénédicte Galup and Michel Ocelot; SCR Philippe Andrieux and Marie Locatelli; PROD Didier Brunner. Frc, 2005, color, 75 min. NR

A PERFECT FRIEND
[Un ami parfait]

When Julien Rossi wakes from a coma he can't remember what happened to him. Was he mugged? Was it an accident? Who is the beautiful woman who claims to be his girlfriend? And why does his real girlfriend, Norina, refuse to take his calls? Julien hopes his best friend Lucas can help, but then he sees Lucas and Norina hand in hand. (Berlin International Film Festival)

DIR/SCR Francis Girod; SCR Philippe Cougrand, based on the novel by Martin Suter; PROD Humbert Balsan. France, 2006, color, 106 min.

EVERYDAY LOVERS
[Les amants reguliers]

Philippe Garrel's gimlet-eyed elegy for May 1968 captures the chaos and thrills of the riotous moment, as well as the long and subtle back slide afterwards into less momentous life. A group of friends (including Garrel's son, Louis) navigates post-riot life: politics change, friends fall out, and new loves bloom. William Lubtchansky's gorgeous b&w photography evokes the late 1960s mood. Best Director, 2005 Venice Film Festival.

DIR/SCR Philippe Garrel; SCR Marc Cholodenko and Arlette Langmann; PROD Gilles Sandoz. France, 2005, b&w, 178

THE TIGER BRIGADES
[Les brigades du tigre]

France, 1912: For some it’s the Belle Epoque; for others, it’s gangsterism and political intrigue threatening the peace. Clovis Cornillac (A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, GILLES' WIFE) leads one of the first cop car patrols against the criminal gang led by anarchist Jacques Gamblin. Diane Kruger (TROY, JOYEUX NOËL) shines as a Russian aristocrat caught up in Gamblin's radical chic. Based on the beloved French TV show of the 1970s.

DIR/SCR Jerome Cornuau; SCR Xavier Dorison and Fabien Nury, based on the TV series directed by Victor Vicas; PROD Manuel Munz. France, 2006, color, 125 min. NR

ON FIRE
[Ça brûle]

An assured and provocative debut from former documentarian Claire Simon. Rebellious provincial teen Camille Varenne takes a nasty spill off her horse. After fireman Gilbert Melki fixes her up, she develops an overpowering obsession with him. Rebuffed in her numerous attempts at seduction, Varenne hits upon a drastic plan: start a fire in the forest and wait for her hero to rescue her.

DIR/SCR Claire Simon; SCR Jérome Beaujour and Nadège Trebal; PROD Gilles Sandoz. France/Switzerland, 2006, color, 111 min. NR

IN PARIS
[Dans Paris]

Paul (Romain Duris) is kicked out of his house by girlfriend Joanna. Returning to his father's apartment, he contemplates the time he spent with Joanna and plunges headlong into a depression similar to the one that led to his sister's suicide years earlier. Rascal brother Jonathan (Louis Garrel) tries to help Paul in between taking to the streets to pick up women.

DIR/SCR Christophe Honoré; PROD Paulo Branco. France, 2006, color, 93 min. NR