Bulletin Culturel April 2009 FOCUS

Tonight:

Opening of the exhibition of the artist Zhenchen Liu (From March 27 to April 19)

Le Labo Distillery District (author of Amélie soundtracks) 55 Mill Street Toronto

Editorial « …on the curtains migrating birds straight frozen above yellow and blue sky. Here and there, holes let the sun rays dim onto the kilim faded stripes ».

Did you ever notice how our perception of hours, days, months and years changes? For Atiq Rahimi, there is no other issue towards the idea of happiness for the closeted condamned couple than the curtain fabric – or the Content peacock feather. That’s not much, that a whole World. For us, the absence of our bedroom writer, the young or delivering ultimate farewell , the Festival - PAGE 3 hang on the walls show are opportunities for happiness. Let’s go out for music with long and sunny days back: Charles Aznavour, Music - PAGE 5 Sebastien Tellier, Yann Tiersen, Philippe Lejeune and Samarabalouf. Note that Theatre - PAGE 8 Tiersen gave to cinema the famous Amelie sound-track. Samarabalouf tours the GTA at large : communities and clubs to discover ; how about experi - Conferences - PAGE 9 encing new restaurants ? Exhibitions - PAGE 11 For playrights, twice « Molière » for your to choose, or go to the Theatre Français with English subtitles. Cinema - PAGE 12

One after the other or at the same time, bloom many Festivals: CineFranco, DVDs - PAGE 14 Jewish -TJFF- , Hot Docs, ReelWorld. Between stills and moving images « Danse - PAGE 15 Images Festival » brings in amazing discoveries. The lenses of Liu and Joreige/Hadjithomas depict mutating and upside-down Worlds. Spring for Television - PAGE 16 everybody, positive mutations. Joël Savary, Attaché Culturel (*) « Syngué sabour », Atiq Rahimi, P.O.L. publisher, Goncourt Prize 2008, written in French by an Farsi-born speaker. Cultural Calendar - April 2009 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3 4 5 Conference Dance Exhibitions Theatre Ballet L’art et les Surani - The artistes Creole malisme Until April Misan - dans la so - 4th ciété maro - Until Ap. thrope 30 caine Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest. Cinéfranco Cinéfranco Cinéfranco Cinéfranco Cinéfranco 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Cinema Cinema Music Cinema Sébastien Paris Lady Jane Shall we Tellier kiss? - Music - Le premier Philippe LeJeune Philippe venu LeJeune Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest. Images Fest.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Television Music Music Conference Theatre Music Music Contes et Flandres Samara - Samara - récits mer - Le bour - Samara - Yann balouf balouf veilleux geois balouf Tiersen Music gentil - homme Samara - Television balouf (also Ap 18) TJFF TJFF Stavisky ReelWorld ReelWorld ReelWorld ReelWorld ReelWorld 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Television Conference Music Jean Calvin Jardins et les Charles femmes d’automne Theatre Aznavour The Dinner Game TJFF TJFF TJFF TJFF TJFF TJFF 27 28 29 30 Cinema Les Lutins du Court- métrage Television Sous le sable 2 FFeessttiivvaallss Cinéfranco still running! Until April 5 The Toronto French film festi - be screened at the closing val Cinéfranco is still running! night! Like each and every year you Thanks to the energy of are offered to enjoy the best Marcelle Lean and her team, recent Francophone films. this festival is a real party! So Share the achievements of let's join them! many directors and actors co - Cinéfranco also opens ming from all around the an artistic program called world. The Consulate General "Marseille –Toronto Mix ” to of in Toronto is very “ bridge creative communities proud to support this unique Also in the program: very through a rare mix of indie programme! successful comedies in films, videos, music and exhi - These great franco - France like Tonie Marshal bitions.” Two productions phone films of the year were "Off And Running " , and from Marseille are being never released in Toronto, strong features like " Sur - screened in this framework, Cinefranco is the last catch viving With Wolves " in at - "Lady Jane " by Robert up opportunity to see them tendance of director Vera Guédiguian with Jean-Pierre on a big screen. Come and Belmont , and the amazing Darroussin and Ariane Asca - see the Cédric Klapish film, documentary " It's Hard ride as well as " Khamsa " by "Paris " . Being Loved By Jerks " to Karim Dridi.

ReelWorld Festival From April 15 to 19 Every spring, in the heart of Discover the French-speaking by a child. It was a finalist downtown Toronto, ReelWorld short-film of the Festival: CBC Radio’s digital diversity brings together filmmakers, contest in Montreal. cineastes, industry profes - Les Jumelles (The binoculars) sionals, and local and inter - A Canadian film by Mustapha Touil national media for five days ReelWorld Film Festival of cinema. The festival was With William Beauchamp , Maryse Beauchamp... From April 15 to 19 established in response to the At Carlton Cinemas need for increased represen - 20 College Street tation of Canada’s mosaic of Simon is intrigued by the cultures in film, video and eating habits of his new Moroccan neighbours. Ticket: $10 new media. ReelWorld Film Ticket students and senoirs $5 Festival embodies the true Do barbarians eat with their fingers? Through his innocent Opening and closure: $20 spirit of multiculturalism by ($25 film + party) encouraging the sharing of observation and questioning, Simon teaches his parents a stories across cultures and www.reelworld.ca creeds. lesson that they will never forget. Les Jumelles is a wink to cultural diversity as seen

3 Images Festival From April 2 to 11 Discover the French artists pre - cent lamps; they speak about a tural Exchanges manifest a di - sented at Images Festival 2009: magical world. rectness that dispenses with so - The scenario of ŒKempinski¹, cial niceties. The brief Des nuages aux fêlures de la filmed in various towns in Mali, encounters he arranges terre is defined by specific rules: in - between individuals result in By Philippe Cote terviewed people imagine the very forthright vox pop PHILIPPE COTE has made more future and speak about it in the exchanges. than a dozen films since 1998 present tense. Their hopeful, which were screened at nume- poetic, spiritual stories and fan - Sunday 5 Apr at 2:00pm Joseph rous festivals and venues tasies are recorded and edited in Workman Theatre (1001 Queen around the world including the a melodic way. ŒKempinski¹ Street West) Centre Georges Pompidou, thus cleverly challenges our ex - VideoEx (Zurich), Image Forum otic expectations and stereo - (Tokyo) and Media City 11. He is types about Africa. And also the unique conference, a founding member of the film offered by the Consulate Ge- co-operative L'Etna, and of arti - Sunday 5 Apr at 6:00pm Joseph neral of France in Toronto, in sanal lab formed in 1997 in Workman Theatre (1001 Queen partnership with Images Festi - Paris, where he lives. Cote will Street West) val, at A Space Gallery, by the be in attendance for this screen - artist and director Halil Joreige, ing. Five short videos on Saturday, April 4, at 3:30 By Thierry Geoffroy pm. SEE ON PAGE 11 Thursday April 9 at 11:00pm Thierry Geoffroy (aka Colonel), Theatre Centre interviews immigrants and in - (1087 Queen Street West) digenous Danes on the streets Images Festival of Denmark, making himself understood in his very imperfect From April 2 to 11 ŒKempinski¹ , English. The interviews in all his - By Neïl Beloufa projects presented here includ - To learn more about Kempinski is a mystical and ing Borders test (version com - the conference Halil Joreige, animist place. People emerge plet), The Walraff Method , I see on page 11 from the dark, holding fluores - want to look like you and Cul -

Toronto Jewish Film Festival From April 18 to 26

For nine days in April, the Toronto The Festival screens at three the - Jewish Film Festival provides the atres – the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor opportunity for everyone to travel St. W. at Bathurst St.), the Al Green the Jewish world through films. Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC (750 Toronto Jewish Film Festival The Consulate General of France is Spadina Ave. at Bloor St. W.) and proud to support this fantastic fes - the Sheppard Grande (4861 Yonge From April 18 to 26 tival which is one of the biggest St. at Sheppard Ave.). Jewish film festival in the world – and there are more than 100 es - For more details about the film For more details, visit: tablished around the globe! schedule please visit : www.tjff.com So do not miss it and join this cele - www.tjff.com bration of Jewish culture!

4 MMuussiicc Sébastien Tellier April 8

Politics , in 2004. The song, La Ri - albums acoustically, such as the tournelle , on the album became a remixing of the French singer big hit, and shot Sébastien Tellier Christophe’s song ‘La Dolce Vita‘. relative fame. His third album, entitled Session , is influenced by this work, and is more mature and accomplished than his previous albums. It was warmly received by critics. The sounds from his latest album Sexuality , released in early 2008, were played constantly on the Until a short time ago, Sébastien French airwaves. Tellier was unknown to most French people. His participation at Eurovi - sion 2008, despite being unsuc - Sébastien Tellier cessfull, helped him become more His talents were further recognized familiar to the broader public. when the song, Fantino , from his Wednesday, April 8 His musical career began seven first album, was chosen to be a part years ago, with his first electro of the soundtrack from Sofia Cop - album, entitled l’ Incroyable vérité , pola’s Lost in Translation and also At Mod Club released in 2001. Subsequently, he Tristan Arouet’s movie Narco only a 722 College street performed with the band Air at the year later. For the two next years, Sébastien Toronto first shows of their tour that year. 416 588 4668 He released his second album, Tellier devoted his efforts to remix - ing particular songs from previous Yann Tiersen April 19 Tiersen was born in , album, Lucky Dog Recordings 03- France, in 1970 and received clas - 04. sical training at several musical His live performances vary greatly. academies, including those in Sometimes he is accompanied by , , and Boulogne. Be - an orchestra and many guest col - fore releasing scores under his own laborators, like Dominique A. Oth - name, Tiersen recorded back - ers, he offers the more frequent ground music for a number of plays minimalistic sessions, usually ac - and short films, such as La Vie companied only by a Rêvée des Anges (1998, Erick drummer/bassist and a guitarist, Zonca), Alice et Martin (1998, with Tiersen switching seamlessly André Téchiné), Qui Plume la Lune? between , accordion, and vio - (Christine Carrière, 1999). lin for his lighter songs, and electric He rose to domestic fame upon the writer. guitar for his louder pieces (where release of his third album, Le Yann Tiersen's list of collaborators his Avant-Garde Music meet some Phare , but remained relatively continues to grow album after rock sonorities). unknown outside France until the album. While composing his fifth release of his score for Le fabuleux album, L'absente , Tiersen lent his Yann Tiersen destin d'Amélie Poulain in 2001, musical talent to Françoiz Breut and which was a mixture of both new Les Têtes Raides for their own Sunday, April 19 and previously released materials. album. His 2005 album, Les At 8:00 PM Tiersen favors the piano, accordion, Retrouvailles , featured vocals from and , but is also known for his Stuart Staples of , Jane At Mod Club experimentations and uses of Birkin, and , for - 722 College street obscure and found instruments like merly of . Tiersen Toronto the and the type - also played piano on Staples' solo 416 588 4668 5 Philippe LeJeune April 7 and 8 The French pianist Philippe LeJeune audience important music from a is a perfect example of the mixture variety of older sources and melt - of jazz and blues which has espe - ing it all together into a highly per - cially an important strain in the jazz sonal style and repertoire. The tradition. Frenchman’s natural instinct for A French man who loves and plays blues, jazz, and boogie is food for American Jazz is not entirely un - the soul. usual, but what sets Philippe apart from his contemporaries is his soul - ful feel for the music. His reper - toire ranges from classic Philippe LeJeune barrelhouse boogie woogie piano to Duke Ellington and Horace Silver Monday, April 7 tunes as well those of Milt Jackson At 6:30 pm and George Gershwin. Philippe LeJeune has released five Republic…), and in Africa (Tunisia, At The Rex Cd’s in the United States; one Senegal). 194 Queen Street West among them is live at the Blue As an educator and clinician, he has Toronto Moon, in Houston, Texas. He also taught piano workshops in music 416 598 2475 made numerous appearances, in schools, and has lead symposiums various American Jazz and Blues at jazz and blues festival through - Tuesday, April 8 Clubs and festivals: Detroit Jazz out France. Philippe LeJeune’s At 5:00 pm Festival, Toledo Art Tatum Jazz Her - name was introduced into the fa - itage Festival… mous New Grove Dictionary of Jazz At Gate 403 Living in Toulouse, France, LeJeune in 2001. has performed for many years Philippe LeJeune has found a role 403 Roncesvalles throughout Europe in the Jazz Fes - not only as an interpreter of con - Toronto tival and clubs circuit (France, temporary numbers, but as tradi - 416 588 2930 Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech tionalists bringing back to today’s

Baisers volés Friday, April 24

With Emerald Doyle, Soozi plored by Franco-Ontarian per - Schlanger, Philippe Flahaut and former Emerald Doyle and her Amélie Lefebvre. guests (Soozi Schlanger, Philippe Flahaut and Amélie Lefebvre) in It’s well known that songs tran - “Baisers volés” [Stolen Kisses], a scend time and borders, requiring cabaret-chanson in which memo - no passport other than their combi - ries and surprises become inter - nation of words and melodies to twined in the listener’s ear. throw the doors of our hearts wide open. But, over the course of their - Dominique Denis, Artistic Director wanderings, songs undergo unpre - dictable transformations. Occasion - example, “La Complainte de Mackie”, which is the French ally the original impulse is indeed Baisers volés retained in another language (for version of “Mack the Knife”, in which Vian brilliantly recreates the world of Weill and Brecht); but it Friday, April 24 sometimes turns out that a song At 7:00 pm tells us a completely different story. Arlo Guthrie’s “Spirit of New Orleans” is an ode to the end of a In French way of life while Joe Dassin’s French version, “Salut les AFT Spadina amoureux”, becomes an ode to 24 Spadina Road the end of love. These parallel existences are ex -

6 Samarabalouf April 14, 15, 16 and 18

stage, the group’s energy cohesion and virtuosity bring the audience Tuesday, April 14 on trips made of roaming reverie, At 8:00pm festive delights and a good dose of Markham Theatre humor. 171 Town Centre Blvd, Since then, the group has been Markham touring extensively throughout North America, from Anchorage to Wednesday, April 15 New York’s GlobalFEST via Vancou - At 8:00 pm ver, Seattle, Los Angeles, Montana, Oakville Centre for the Per - Idaho, the Mid West, Louisiana and forming Arts, 130 Navy St. Under the artistic directorship of Texas with breaking CD sale Oakville François Petit, SAMARABALOUF is a records at their concerts…bringing delightfully crazy string trio nu- them back to this continent during Thursday, April 16 rtured on the music by world fa - early Fall 08 and April 2009. At 8:00 pm mous gypsy jazz star Django SAMARABALOUF has also per - Rose Theatre/Brampton Perf. Reinhardt. formed on stage with French Arts Centre Accompanied by a rhythmic guitar groups such as Trio Rosenberg, Les 150 Central Park Dr. (played by Pierre Margerin), a dou - Yeux Noirs, Bratch and Mickey 3D. Brampton ble bass (played by Luc Ambry) and Their discography includes 3 CD’s working with Django’s music tones released by L’Autre Distribution in Saturday, April 18 and rhythms, Francois has devel - France: Samarabalouf (2000), La At 7:30 pm oped a repertoire of works stretching Valche Folle (2002) and Profitez en ! Centre for Arts at Brock Uni - from the Boogie-Blues to Flamenco (May 04). Their 4th CD entitled versity, 500 Glenridge Av. Rock and rockabilly, integrating Bababa , was released in January Saint Catherine popular themes such as the Waltz, 2008! Tango, Rumba and the Slow. On

Best of Charles Aznavour April 26

Widely regarded as the “French unique tenor voice; clear and Frank Sinatra”, Charles Az - ringing in its upper reaches, navour is without a doubt the with gravely and profound low most famous French singer that notes. He has appeared in more has ever lived. A legend who than 60 movies, composed maintains an international cult about 1,000 songs (including at following, the Paris-born crooner least 150 in English, 100 in Ital - is credited with reinventing the ian, 70 in Spanish, and 50 in French chanson, and for pen - German), and sold well over 100 ning more than 800 songs that million records. have been covered by artist such as Edith Piaf, Bing Crosby, Best of Charles Aznavour Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Sunday, April 26 Bobby Darin and Sting. Besides being one of France's At 8:00 PM most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the At Roy Thomson Hall most well-known singers in the 60 Simcoe St. (corner of world. He is known for his char - King St. and Simcoe St.) acteristic short figure and

7 TThheeaattrree Le bourgeois gentilhomme April 17 and 18 M. Jourdain is a middle-aged bour - ridiculous and urges him to return geois whose father grew rich as a to his previous unpretentious mid - cloth-merchant. The rather foolish dle-class life, but to no avail. A par - Le Bourgeois Jourdain now has one aim in life - asitic, cash-strapped nobleman gentilhomme to rise above this middle-class called Dorante has attached himself By Molière background and be accepted as an to M. Jourdain; he secretly despises aristocratic gentleman. To this end, Jourdain but flatters his aristocratic Music by Lully he orders splendid new clothes dreams (e.g. by telling Jourdain (and is naively delighted when the that he mentioned his name to the Presented by tailor''s boy mockingly addresses King at Versailles) so as to get Jour - “La Troupe des Anciens” him as "my Lord") and applies him - dain to pay his debts. Jourdain''s of University of Toronto self to learning the gentlemanly dreams of social-climbing mount arts of fencing, dancing, music and higher and higher: he dreams of philosophy, despite his age; in marrying a Marchioness, Dorimene, Friday, April 17 and doing so he continually manages to and having his daughter Lucille Saturday, April 18 make a fool of himself, to the dis - marry a nobleman. But Lucille is in At 8:00 pm gust of his hired teachers. Most fa - love with the middle-class Cléonte. mously, his philosophy lesson Of course, M. Jourdain refuses his degenerates into a basic lesson on permission for Lucille to marry George Ignatieff Theatre language in which he is surprised Cléonte. 15, Devonshire Place and delighted to learn that he has This play is an hilarious master - been speaking prose all his life piece of French theatre written by In French without knowing it. the most famous French playwright Mme Jourdain, his sensible wife, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin ( Molière). sees that he is making himself

The Dinner Game From April 22 to May 9 This piece, a cult hit onstage and in look at society. We are sure to see film, has become synonymous with humor displayed in all its forms as scathing comedy that denounces society’s excess is gleefully de - The Dinner Game the excesses of today’s society. Its nounced. By Francis Veber premise begins with some charac - ters tracking down a complete idiot From April 22 to May 9 and inviting him to dinner with the intention of mocking him the entire Directed by Guy Mignault evening without him ever realizing With Stéphanie Broschar, it. But what happens when the Paul Essiembre, Marianne game does not unfold as planned, Lambert, Jean-Michel Le when nothing seems to stop the in - Gal, René Lemieux, Pierre vited idiot from making things Simpson worse? The result, much to our amusement, is one of the most hi - From Ap 22 to May2, and larious and intelligent comedies of from May 6 to 9: 8:00 PM Ap 26, MAy 2, 3, and 9, at our age. Nothing is left to chance. 2:30 PM Between continuous mistaken iden - tity, ongoing word games, and 26 Berkeley Street table-turning situations, it is impos - Toronto sible for us to avoid both a serious 416.534.6604 case of the giggles and a critical

8 The Misanthrope From April 4 to 26 The red light district theatre com - “Everybody (in Toronto) is from pany is excited to announce the re - somewhere else and so the rules turn of German director Johanna for social interaction are fluctua- The Misanthrope Schall to Toronto to direct a new ting, subtle and manifold,” she A master-piece by production of Molière’s classic com - explains. “Individualism is highly Molière edy THE MISANTHROPE. praised but only up to a certain point, where it is considered rude. Directed by Johanna Schall Schall, the granddaughter of Bertolt So you encounter this strange Brecht and a formidable force in the politeness, coupled with an intense With: Marcel Dragonieri, theatre in her own right, spent a anger and peppered with a sharp Spencer Evoy, Kat Letwin, year in Toronto from 2007-2008 wit. The play is about the pressure Reid Linforth... teaching at the University College to belong: we cannot live outside drama program at the University of of society, but the price for mem - April 4 at 8 PM, Toronto, where she directed an ex - bership is quite high.” April 8 at 10 PM citing and acclaimed production of Ap ril 10, 13, 15 & 22 at 8 PM Schiller’s early work, The Robbers. Molière’s famous 17th century co- April 23 at 10 PM medy of manners satirizes the April 24 at 9 PM She chose THE MISANTHROPE with hypocrisies of aristocratic society. It April 26 at 8 PM which to make her professional tells the story of young man (the Toronto debut because Molière’s misanthrope) who rejects society At Drake Hotel play speaks of her experience of and its conventions, but paradoxi - 1150 Queen street west this city. cally has fallen head over heels in love with a flirtatious young woman Toronto who represents all the ‘dreadful modern ways’ he despises.

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The Place of Art and Artist Sunday, April 5 in Moroccan Society place of art and artist in Moroccan society at a roundtable to be held The Place of Art and the on Sunday, April 5. This discussion Artist in Moroccan will be facilitated by Marcelle Lean Society director of Cinéfranco. Sunday, April 5 Come and discover the artistic At 11:00 am pathways taken by these talented Lahcen Zinoun (who directed La film-makers who will be showing In French Beauté éparpillée [The Lost their works at the Royal (608 Col - Beauty ]) and Omar Chraïbi (who lege Street) between 1:00 and AFT Spadina directed Tissée de mains et d’étoffe 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. [Hands and Cloth ]) will discuss the 24 Spadina Road

9 Le génie du cinéma français Tuesday, April 7 Le génie du cinéma français pre - Each film or lecture admission: sented by film critic and program - Le génie du mer Shlomo Schwartzberg. $8 for members, $6.50 for seniors cinéma français and children, and $12 for non- A lecture He will be examining contemporary members Shlomo Schwartzberg French cinema, Le Nouvelle Vague, Love and Sex, Politics and Society For more information: Tuesday, April 7 and the portrayal of minorities in 416 531 9959 A 7:00 pm French cinema. At Revue Cinema 400 Roncesvalles Avenue, south of Dundas St. West

Stories and Tales of the Fantastic Thursday, April 16 With Mamadou Seck, Danièle teller since l977, he has travelled to Danièle Caloz, the project director Vallée and Dan Yashinsky, many parts of Canada and around at TVOntario, as a writer and an - and the artistic collaboration of the world telling and collecting sto - nouncer for the program entitled Marc Lemyre ries. As a teller for children and “Le passé au présent”. Mr. Seck will teens, Dan works mostly with grade present a story and poem. Danièle Vallée is a recognized au - seven through high school. thor and storyteller living in Ot - M. Yashinsky will speak about his tawa. She has published seven book Suddenly They Heard Foot - Stories and Tales of the books including five that were illus - steps . trated by well-known visual artists. Fantastic She has brought some of her works Mamadou Seck has established his to the stage, endowing them with own company, Talibé Communica - Thursday, April 16 an astounding artistic dimension tions; its main services include At 6:30 pm that features various types of translation in a variety of fields music. Ms. Vallée will present a tale such as education, the arts, etc. He taken from her Racontars show. has taken part in various artistic In French and cultural activities, e.g., a Free admission Dan Yashinsky founded the Toronto poetry/theatre recital at Laval Uni - Festival of Storytelling (in l979), versity and courses in dramatic arts AFT Spadina and co-founded the Storytellers with the Carousel Theatre School in 24 Spadina Road School of Toronto. A working story - Vancouver. He has worked with

Jean Calvin and the women Wednesday, April 22 By Jane Couchman, invited by Calvin to take part in es - Professor Emeritus, French tablishing the Calvinist church in Studies, Multidisciplinary Stud - France. ies and Women’s Studies, Glen - don College Jean Calvin and the women By Jane Couchman The 500th birthday of Jean Calvin will be observed on July 10, 2009. Wednesday, April 22 A number of “celebrations” of his birth are being planned, notably in at 6:30 pm Geneva, where the reformer settled following his exile from his native AFT Spadina country in 1534. Calvin was born in Pierre-Léon Gallery Noyon in Picardie. the connections he maintained with 24 Spadina Road a number of women – not only with We will be celebrating one specific his own wife, Idelette de Bure, but aspect of Calvin’s thought and ac - also with such female reformers as In French tivities, i.e., what he had to say Marie Dentière and with women Free admission about women in his writings and from the French nobility who were 10 EExxhhiibbiittiioonnss Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige Until April 18

Born in Beirut in 1969, and living They are also university professors Toronto International Film Festival now in Paris, Joana Hadjithomas in Beirut: Joana teaches screen - 08). Their work will be exhibited at and Khalil Joreige have worked to - writing, Khalil esthetics and exper - the A Space gallery, as part of Im - gether as artists and filmmakers, imental videos. Their main ages Festival 2009. shooting fictions films and docu - interrogation concern the emer - (SEE ON PAGE 4) mentaries. In 1999, they wrote and gence of an individual being in a directed their first fiction featured community society, the relation to film “Al bayt el zaher”, (“Around the the image, to representation, the OPAE uNniIqNueG c oRnEfeCreEnPceT IofO: N pink house”); a Franco-Canadian- difficulty of living the present, of KShAaTlUil RJoDrAeYig,e A (PaRrtIisLt i4 c Lebanese co-production. Then in writing history… talk with Tess Takahashi) 2000, they made “Khiam”, a 52 minute documentary, and in 2003, SaturdaAy,r Atipsrtil 4ta, alkt 3: :30 pm they presented a documentary Khalil Joreige in essay: “Le film al mafkoud.” (“The coOnnv tehers oactciaosnio nw oitf h Lost Film”). Ttehses e xThaikbiatihoan sohf i These documentaries were shown Joana Hadjithomas et at large number of film festivals, as Khalil Joreige well as in numerous art centers and Joana Hadjithomas international museums. At the end anUd nKthila Alipl rJiol r1e8 ige of 2003, they returned to fiction with a short film entitled: “Ramad” AtU An Stipl aAcper Gila 1ll8ery (“Ashes”) which was selected for 401 Richmond Street West the 2005 Cesar Award. Je veux voir At A Supiatec e1 1G0 allery Together, they created numerous photographic installations and Recently, they invited Catherine 40O1 pReicnhimngo nr eSctreepetti oWn est videos that were exhibited in gal - Deneuve to play her own role in SaturdaSyu,i tAep 1r1il0 4, from leries and institutions around the their last film, entitled “Je veux 2:0401 p6m 9 7to9 59:60303 pm world. voir” (Official Selection at the

Suranimalism, by Jérôme Couëlle From April 3 to 30

out of both his studios on the shores of Lake Champlain in North Hero, Vermont and in the Suranimalism Rosedale Valley in Toronto. An exhibition by « My paintings are dedicated to the Jérôme Couëlle animals whom I call « suranimals » for they are all knowing, to the chil - From Friday, April 3 dren, to the artists, to the poets, to Thursday, April 30 the writers, the who re - fuse to be chained to what used to AFT Spadina be, and do not accept the world as their reason has taught them, but Galerie Pierre-Léon A self taught artist, Jérôme Couëlle have freed their eyes to be the true 24 Spadina Road was born in Aix en Provence in the window to peer into infinity. ». South of France. For the past Free admission twenty years, Couëlle has been Jérôme Couëlle solely devoting his time to painting 11 CCiinneemmaa Three French films at the Revue Cinemas April 6 and 7 Celebrate the beginning of spring Monday, April 6, at 9:15 pm Tuesday, April 7, at 9:15 pm with three French films presented Paris Lady Jane in partnership with Cinéfranco A film by Cedric Klapisch A film by Robert Guédiguian 2009, the Francophone Film Festi - With Romain Duris, Juliette With Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre val in Toronto, with: Binoche, Fabrice Luchini Darroussin, Gérard Meylan Running time: 130 minutes Running time: 102 minutes Monday, April 6, at 7:00 pm French drama French thriller Just anybody A film by Jacques Doillon Pierre, a professional dancer, suf - Muriel, owner of a perfume store, With Clémentine Beaugrand, Gérald fers from a serious heart disease. learns that her son, Martin, has Thomassin, Guillaume Saurrel While he is waiting for a transplant been abducted, and that she will Running time: 121 minutes which may (or may not) save his only get him back for a ransom of French-belgium drama life, he has nothing better to do 200,000 Euros. Distraught, she than look at the people around him, turns to her friends François and Camille, a twenty something Parisi - from the balcony of his Paris apart - René, whom she has not seen for enne, decides to love the first per - ment. When Elise, his sister with the last 15 years. They had formed son who she thinks has need of her. three kids and no husband, moves a gang of expert thieves. François, This turns out to be Costa, a bad in to his place to care for him, who repairs boats, and René, a son, bad father, bad husband and a Pierre does not change his new con-artist, decide to help her get thug from Crotoy. habits. And instead of dancing him - the money together. But at what Camille follows Costa back to his self, it is Paris and the Parisians cost? home town, where she immediately who dance before his eyes. immerses herself in his life. En - Three French films! counters, holdups, and misadven - tures are artfully embroidered, in a April 6 and 7 relation both strange and moving. At The Revue Cinema The program can be subject to change 400 Roncesvalles Avenue, Please call: 416 531 9959 south of Dundas St. West

Shall we kiss? In theatre since April 10 Un baiser s’il vous plait While traveling to Nantes for one “Mouret marries Rohmer's visual lu - A film by Emmanuel Mouret evening, Emilie meets Gabriel. cidity and love of smart dialogue to Starring Virginie Ledoyen, Em - Equally seduced by one another, the sort of screwball-comedy antics manuel Mouret, Julie Gayet, but both otherwise committed, they that wouldn't have seemed out of Frédérique Bel, Stefano Accorsi know they will probably never see place in the films of Lubitsch or France, 2007 each other again. Hawks, and he does it all with a be - Running time : 100 min He would like to kiss her. She as guiling lightness of touch.” well, but a story prevents her from – Scott Foundas, LA Weekly doing so: that of a married woman and of her best friend who were surprised by the effects of a kiss. Of a kiss that should have born no Shall we kiss? consequences... A film by Emmanuel Mouret “A sexy, quintessentially French delicacy” - Stephen Holden, The New In Toronto theaters, York Times from Friday, April 10

12 Violence des échanges en milieu tempéré April 14, 15 and 22

Work Hard, Play Hard A film by Jean-Marc Moutout Philippe (25) arrives from the Free admission With Jérémie Rénier, Laurent Lucas, provinces in Paris to take up a job Cylia Malki, Olivier Perrier, Samir in a large consulting firm. On the Guesmi morning of his first day at work he Tuesday, April 14 France, 2004 meets Eva, a young solo mother. 7:30 pm Running time: 93 min They quickly become involved. He’s AFT Spadina enthusiastic about his first mission 24 Spadina Road which is to audit a small factory with view to a takeover by a large corporation… Wednesday, April 15 7:30 pm “The strength of Violence des AFT Mississauga échanges… lies primarily in its ex - 4261 Sherwoodtown Blvd treme preciseness – the precise - Mississauga ness of a dynamiter – seen in its meticulously rendered images, its extraordinarily effective dialogues Wednesday, April 22 and its carefully timed dramatic 7:30 pm progression.” AFT Spadina - Télérama 24 Spadina Road

Les Lutins du Court Métrage April 7 and 28 Les Lutins du court-métrage has Program of April 7: Fiction, with Kate Moran, Pierre Vin - been actively promoting the public cent Chapus and Salvatore Viviano distribution of short films since Carlitopolis redux , by Nieto – An - (15’) 1998. imation (3’10) The memories of dog , by Simone Deweneti , by Dyana Gaye – Massi – Animation (8’) It has participated in the emer - Fiction, with Abbas Ba (15’) The last day ,by Olivier Bourbeillon gence of such directors and actors Irinka et Sandrinka , by Sandrine – Documentary, (11’40) as François Ozon, Jérémie Rénier, Stoianov and Jean-Charles Finck – Heureux qui comme Edouard – Ludivine Sagnier, Sylvie Testud and Animation (16’) Fiction by Vincent Burgevin and many others, thereby playing a Mic Jean-Louis , by Kathy Sebbah Franck Lebon, avec Jennifer Colin vital role in discovering the new – Fiction / documentaire, with and Boris Vigneron (21’15) cinematic talents of tomorrow. The Birghit Chauveau and Jean-Louis Manon on the asphalt , by Eliza - organization’s objective is to bring Mic (26’30) beth Marre and Olivier Pont the short film out into the open The outer limits child – Fiction by Fiction, with Aude Léger and Xavier through a variety of initiatives; Pascal Mieszala, and Valérie Blan - Boiffier (15’) these include a festival and a tour chon et Gautier Van Lieshout (15’) of several French cities as well as One voice one vote , by Jeanne Total = 87 min overseas initiatives. Paturle and Cécile Rousset – Animation / documentary (13’30)

Total = 88 min Les Lutins du Court-métrage

Wednesday, April 7 and Program of April 28 Wednesday, April 28 At 7:30 pm Pick up , by Manuel Schapira – Fiction, with Laetita Spigarelli and - At NFB Cinema Jacky Iso (17’20) 150 John Street Intermission , by Yann Gonzalez –

13 DDaannccee Ballet Creole From April 2 to 4 dance and polyrhythmic African and fusion of diverse dance and music Caribbean music. Featuring works traditions. by Artistic Director Patrick Parson, Canadian dance icon Danny Gross - man (former Alvin Ailey member) Ballet Creole Milton Myers, and Associate Chore - ographer Gabby Kamino. TRANS-formation

The Ballet Creole is active on the From April 2 to 4 Canadian dance scene since August At 8:00 PM 1990. Ballet Creole comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians and a School of Per - At Harbourfront Centre forming Arts. While focusing on the Fleck Dance Theatre traditional and contemporary per - (formerly Premiere forming arts of the Caribbean and Dance Theatre) Africa, Ballet Creole aims to estab - 207 Queens Quay West , A testament to the transcendent lish a dynamic new artistic tradition power of drums, TRANS-formation in Canada through "creolization" or Toronto ON is a graceful blend of contemporary

DDVVDDss Les Insoumis In stores since April 7 Les Insoumis Directed by Claude-Michel Rome Starring Richard Berry, Pascal Elbé, Zabou Breitman Running time: 100 min. 2008 When a notorious gangland boss escapes from police custody and goes into hiding, it’s up to a tough big-city cop - Vincent Drieu - to track him down. Near the end of his career, Drieu is hardened, disillu - sioned, and resents being assigned to a hellhole of a town where crime Les Insoumis is completely out of control. But un - A film by like his demoralized colleagues, Claude-Michel Rome Drieu is determined to carry out his assignment, using whatever means necessary… In stores since Tuesday, April 7

14 Mes Stars et moi In stores since April 7

Mes stars et moi Directed by Laetitia Colombani Starring Kad Merad, Catherine Deneuve, Emmanuelle Béart, Melanie Bernier Running time: 88 min. 2008

Fascinated by actresses, Robert is undoubtedly the clingiest fan in French cinema. A handling agent by night in a large artistic agency, he devotes his days to "his" stars, whom he follows relentlessly, not hesitating to interfere in their lives. Mes stars et moi Working together on the same film A film by set, his three favorite actresses dis - Laetitia Colombani cover one day that they have the same problem--with the same fan. In stores since They all decide to join forces and settle their score with him. They Tuesday, April 7 were his idols, but they become his worst nightmare.

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LES INSOUMIS Offered by Mongrel Media

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In which animated film of Pascal Morinelli did Richard Berry give his voice to a famous hero of a graphic-novel?

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15 TTeelleevviissiioonn TFO PROGRAM (ALL AT 9:00 PM)

Monday, April 6 In this grim slice-of-life film, the dead-end future of a number of Passe ton bac d’abord young French teenagers living in a northern mining town is closely ex - 1979 Drama by Maurice Pialat amined. Some lapse into debauch - ery, others enter into loveless With Sabine Haudepin, marriages. A few even stay the Philippe Marlaud, Annick course and get their diplomas, which Alane and Jean-François qualify them to do the same mean - Adam. ingless jobs they would be doing without diplomas. One or two flee to Running time: 81 min Paris, and try their luck in that rat race. Tuesday, April 7 Gilberte, in middle-age, flirts with Pas sur la bouche men but loves her husband Georges, wishing he were more 2003 demonstrative. He's negotiating a Musical by Alain Resnais deal with an American, Eric Thom - son, who turns out to be Gilberte's With Sabine Azéma, Pierre first husband from an annulled and Arditi, secret stateside marriage. Along with her sister Arlette, Gilberte begs Eric not to tell Georges about the marriage… Running time : 111 min

Wednesday, April 8 There are three sisters, two of whom are happily married (or so it ap - A la verticale de l’été pears). The youngest sister is single and living with her cute older 2000 brother, whom she is desperately in Drama by Tran Anh Hung love with.The other sister and her With Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Le husband are overjoyed to discover Khanh and Tran Cuong. she is pregnant, and though he is tempted, her husband remains loyal Running time: 112 min to her.

Monday, April 13 Andre Demester leaves his farm in northern France to become a soldier Flandres in a far off land. On his last night of freedom, he witnesses Barbe, his childhood friend and secret love, 2005 sleeping with another man. A twist Drama by Bruno Dumont of fate puts the two men side by side With Samuel Boidin, Adélaïde in combat where their undeclared Leroux, et Henri Cretel personal war and the one they are fighting tragically merge. Left be - Running time : 87 min hind, Barbe, alone and wasting away, faces misfortunes of her own, while awaiting the soldiers' return. 16 Irresistible charm and talent Tuesday, April 14 helps Serge Alexandre alias Stavisky, small-time swindler, to Stavisky make friends with even most in - fluential members of French in - 1974 dustrial and political elite during Drama by Alain Resnais the early 30s. But nothing lasts With Jean-Paul Belmondo, forever and when his great scam Gérard Depardieu, and François involving hundreds millions of Périer francs gets exposed result is an unprecedented scandal that al - most caused a civil war. Running time: 115 min

Saturday, April 18 Max, an old gangster, and his buddy Riton have got away with 50-million Touchez pas au grisbi francs in gold bars, who think they 1954 ought to retire now. But Riton's girl- Polar by Jacques Becker friend is tired of him, and has a new With Jean Gabin, Lino Ventura protector, Angelo, who is the boss and Jeanne Moreau of a rival gang. Through her, Angelo learns about his rival's "grisbi" Running time : 92 min (loot) and plots to get it. So he kid - naps Max's partner. Max asks some of his friends for help but then gets the message he can exchange the money for his partner.

Monday, March 20

Jardins d’automne A minister is getting fired, looses his apartment, his mistress, his 2006 personal properties… and finally Comedy by Otar Losseliani discovers real life! With Séverin Blanchet, Jacyn - the Jacquet, Michel Piccoli and Pascal Vincent

Running time : 115 min

Marie, a professor of English liter - Tuesday, April 28 ature in a Paris university, has been happily married to Jean for Sous le sable 25 years, although they have no children. During their summer va - 2001 cations in the southwest of Drama by François Ozon France, Jean leaves Marie sun - bathing on the beach and goes to With Charlotte Rampling, Bruno swim in the sea. When Marie turns Cremer, Jacques Nolot, and back, she cannot find Jean. Has Alexandra Stewart he left her? Committed suicide? Drowned? With no clue and no body to mourn over, Marie acts as her husband was still alive. 17