French language being shared by people from every continent leads also to share get-together with fun : music and dance go along the Maroccan delicacies dinner, CHOQ radio invites “Les Respectable”s and “The Breadfeeders” bands, with southern flavours an enjoyable Bïa concert. Cinema menu is as always long with Frédérick Back short-films, the Jacques Demy last screenings at the cinematheque, Universcine at the Alliance ; at the end of March wonderful Cine Franco Festival (with English subtitles) starts at the Royal. Thank to the best historians and authors, the University of Toronto introduces to us the variety of « 400 years of Francophone presence in Ontario », the Historical Society delivers a talk about Champlain. Due to our knowledge of the past, we keep ourselves well alive. Joël Savary, Attaché Culturel
Events « 400 ans de francophonie, ça se fête ! » Francophonie Week Various places
Festival « CinéFranco » Francophone Cinema Festival Alliance Française
Exhibitions « Draws of a life » by Frédéric Back Alliance Française « Continuum » by Pierre Tremblay Glendon College
Lectures « Simone de Beauvoir: yesterday and today » Madeleine Gobeil Alliance Française « Telling lies with History and with stories » Jeudi littéraire of AFT Alliance Française « Veterans of Empire » Gregory Mann UofT « Samuel de Champlain, 400 years later » Société d’Histoire de Toronto Alliance Française « 400 years of French presence in Ontario » Symposium UofT / CEFMF UofT Music « Bïa in concert » Closing show of the Francophonie Week Enwave Theatre « 2008 Journey at the end of the tale» Tales and music for children Parliament Library
Theatre « The invisible man » by Patrice Desbiens T.F.T. « Dom Juan » by Molière Glendon Theatre
Cinema « Age of darkness » by Denys Arcand In movie theatres « Caramel » by Nadine Labaki In movie theatres « Like an image » by Agnès Jaoui at Ciné-Jeudi ONF « Talespinners » at Ciné-Samedi ONF Television « Mon petit doigt m’a dit » by Pascal Thomas at Universciné Alliance Française
Programmation TFO March Toronto
1 CALENDAR MARCH 2008
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4:00 pm Lecture 7:30 pm 3:00 pm Gregory Mann Ciné-Jeudi Cinematheque
« Like an « Trois places image » pour le 26 »
7:30 pm Short Film Festival 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2:30 pm 10:00 am 4:00 pm Cinematheque Tales and Short films
6:30 pm 7:30 pm « La naissance Music for Frédéric Back 2:00 pm 7:30 pm Lecture Universciné du jour » and children Cinema Cinematheque « Simone de « Mon petit « Le bel « Demandez la « The world of indifférent » Jacques Beauvoir » doigt m’a dit » permission aux enfants ! » Demy » 6:00 pm 5:00 pm Exposition Moroccan Frédéric Back Evening
8:00 pm CHOQ ! Evening 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
9:00 am 7:00 pm 17h30 7:00 pm Symposium Short films Exhibition by Lecture « 400 years of Frédéric Back Pierre Tremblay French « Samuel de presence in Champlain » Ontario »
8:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm Theatre Theatre Theatre Bïa in concert « Dom Juan » « Dom Juan » « Dom Juan » 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
8:00 pm 6:30 pm 2:00 pm Theatre Jeudis Ciné-Samedi « The Invisible littéraires « Talespinners » Man » « Telling lies with History and with stories »
2 EVENTS
Francophonie Week
« 400 ans de francophonie, ça se fête ! »
Every year in March, Toronto lives within a French atmosphere. For old and young alike, dozen of activities are organized by French-speaking associations in Toronto to gather people and celebrate French as a common language. The Francophone Centre is the event coordinator; it establishes an activity calendar and organizes a large-scale show to th highlight the Francophone International Day which is on the 20 of March.
You can find a partial scheduling event of the francophone week through this newsletter.
From Friday, March 14th to Thursday, March 20th For further information, check the complete schedule: http://costaleclercdesign.com/flashtest/400/
CHOQ Evening!
To celebrate the Francophone week and Toronto’s French-speaking portal inauguration: www.grandtoronto.ca, CHOQ-FM organises a soiree with the participation of “The Respectables” and “The Breastfeeders”, a French-speaking music band.
Friday, March 14th at 8:00pm Republik Nightclub (261, Richmond Street West) Free Entrance
Moroccan Evening
On the Francophone Week occasion, Toronto’s Morocco Association organises an annual cultural soiree. In the programme, Morocco dinner, music and dance until 1am in a homelike atmosphere with the participation of the popular band “Orchestre Rachid de Montréal”.
Saturday, March 15th from 5:00pm Metropolitan Centre (3840 Finch Avenue)
Entrance: 35 $ per adult / 20 $ for the 7-15 years-old / Free for under 7 year-old Informations et reservations : (416) 219-5793 or [email protected]
FESTIVAL
CinéFranco
To celebrate and promote French cinema in Ontario, CinéFranco Association organises its 11th International Movie Festival in French.
From Friday, March 28th to Sunday April 6th At the Royal Cinema (608 College Street)
More information : www.cinefranco.com
3 EXPMJYUEXHIBITIONSMTION
« Drawings of a life »
by Frédéric Back
The Toronto Alliance Française and the Toronto Animated Image Society organise the exhibition’s preview promoting “Drawings of a life” from Frédéric Back. On that occasion, you are invited to discover 45 drawings originally from his animation movies and to meet the renowned artist.
Frédéric Back is an animation filmmaker, a graphic designer and a teacher worldwide scale-known. His animation short-films usually deal with ecology and the Quebecker culture, themes especially adapted to children. His movies are known for their drawing sophisticate technique: wax-pencil on frozen acetate and for his neo-impressionist style.
th Friday, March 14 at 6:00pm at the Alliance Française (24 Spadina Road) Free Entrance
« Continuum »
Video installation by Pierre Tremblay
The Glendon College Gallery inaugurates the “Continuum” exhibition from Pierre
Tremblay, a Quebecker artist. The inauguration will be preceded by a speech of P. Tremblay
“Continuum” is a video installation which exposes a moving landscape. This piece shows randomness with its presentation system. Thus, it uses 30 TV-screens with different images; they all are different, juxtaposed and stacked. The images were recorded when the artist was walking, cycling, taking pictures of the skyline at different time of the day and of the year.
Tuesday, March 18th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm Glendon College (2275 Bayview Avenue)
LECTURES
“ Veterans of the Empire : History and Memory between Africa and France”
by Gregory Mann
Gregory Mann’s intervention will follow the projection of Rachid Bouchareb’s movie, “Indigènes” (in French with English subtitles) from 2 pm to 4 pm in the same room.
This lecture is presented by the Centre d’Etudes de la France et du Monde Francophone (CEFMF), the New College, the African Studies, the History Department, l’Institut d’Etudes du Cinéma, the Centre d’études transnationales et de la diaspora and the Centre d’Etudes européennes, russes et eurasiennes.
Gregory Mann is teacher-assistant at Columbia University (New York), in the History Department. His specialization is the history of Western French-speaking Africa. He is the author of “Native Sons”, published in 2006.
Monday, March 3rd from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at New College, Room Wi 1017 (300, Huron Street) Information: [email protected]
4
« Simone de Beauvoir : Yesterday and Today »
by Madeleine Gobeil-Noël
Three years after her last coming to Toronto to present Jean-Paul Sartre, Madeleine Gobeil-Noël will present a lecture about “Simone de Beauvoir: hier et aujourd’hui” to celebrate the centenary of the famous writer who was also her close friend.
After telling the story and biography of the writer along the century, she will comment on Simone de Beauvoir’s writing, the meaning of her fight for women’s rights and also her political convictions. “Simone de Beauvoir’s work is a fight against time, against contingency, against herself”.
Madeleine Gobeil taught French Literature at Carleton University from 1964 to 1971. When she was 15, she used to have a personal correspondence with Simone de Beauvoir. They met in Paris in 1958. Their friendship did last 30 years afterwards. She also used to have important functions at the UNESCO in Paris from 1975 to 1997.
Tuesday, March 11th at 6:30pm at theAlliance Française - Free Entrance
« Samuel de Champlain 400 years later » by Patrice Dutil
In the Francophonie week context, the Toronto Historical Society presents a lecture by Patrice Dutil, Professor at Ryerson University.
Samuel de Champlain is the incarnation of the creation of Quebec and of the constant implementation of the French presence in North America but what does he really represent today? After a reminder of Champlain’s striking career, Dutil will consider what the Canadians remember of him. He will end his lecture with a 400 year-old perspective on Champlain. Does Champlain have a future ?
Wednesday, March 19th at 7:00pm at the Alliance Française (24 Spadina Road) - Free Entrance Contact: (416) 924-7631 or [email protected]
« 400 Years of French Presence in Ontario »
Symposium UofT / CEFMF
This symposium is organized in the Francophonie week context by the University of Toronto’s Department of French Studies, in collaboration with the Centre d’Etudes de la France et du Monde Francophone (CEFMF), to celebrate the French language, culture and the French-speaking people of Ontario.
The purpose is to present an accessible amount of information about the arrival of the French-speaking people in Ontario, the different immigration waves and the current status of the French language and culture in Ontario.
The Official Languages Commissioner, Graham Fraser; the Radio-Canada Ombudsman, Julie Mirville-Dechêne; the author and co-founder of “French for the Future”, John Ralston Saul; teachers, as Yves Frenette from the University of Ottawa, François Paré from Waterloo University, Raymond Mougeon from York University and Laurent Gajo from the University of Geneva will intervene. Two round-tables are organized to exchange views with members of the Toronto and Ontario French-speaking community about current matters.
This symposium will be followed by a reception from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Thursday, March 20th at 9:00am Great Hall, Hart House(7 Hart House Circle) Free Entrance, but mandatory inscription: www.400ans.ca or (416) 926-2303
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Les jeudis littéraires de l’Alliance Française
« Telling lies with History and with Stories»
In the continuity of its programme of the « Jeudis Littéraires », the Alliance Française organizes a meeting for the Toronto French-speaking writers, one Thursday per month.
These meetings are the occasion for the guests to comment their work and to discuss with the public.
For this fifth evening, you can meet Paul-François Sylvestre, Claude Tatilon and Monique
Maury Léon.
Thursday, March 27th at 6:30pm at theAlliance française (24 Spadina Road)
Free Entrance
MUSIC
Closing Show of the Francophonie Week
Bïa in concert
Bïa is a Bresilian singer who travels a lot between France and Quebec. In Toronto, she will present a sneak preview of her sixth album which will be released at the end of March. Afro-Brazilian, Latin and south-American rhythms, sung in French, Portuguese and Spanish…
All you need to warm up the end of winter !
Thursday, March 20th at 8:00pm Enwave Theatre (231 Queen’s Quay West)
Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 at the door - Reservations: (416) 973-4000
« 2008 Journey at the End of the Tale » Tales and Music for Children
In the Francophonie Week context, the Toronto Francophone Centre in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library present “Voyage au Bout du Conte 2008”.
A morning of French stories and music for a young and not-so-young public with Mister Son.
Friday March 14th at 10:00am at the Parliament library (269 Gerrard Street East) Free Entrance
Informations : (416) 395-5762
6 CONTESTS
France-Ontario Prize / Avignon’s Festival
Participate to our contest to win a trip to Provence, to the Avignon’s Festival ! You could attend shows, meet artists, visit exhibitions, participate to artistic workshops and to immerse in the festival’s singular atmosphere !
Journey’s dates: from the 18th to the 28th of July 2008
Supervision : • Transportation • Hosting
• Meals
• Insurance
Last day for file receipt: Friday the 2nd of May 2008
This trip to Avignon’s Festival is offered by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Canada within the “International Youth Meetings” program, in partnership with the Writing Contest organized by the Catapulte Theatre (Ottawa), the Toronto French Theatre and the New Ontario Theatre (Sudbury).
For more information, please refer to: http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/spip.php?article1708
Commit Yourself !
The Acadian Studio and the Western Ontario Studio, in collaboration with “Parole Citoyenne”, propose a new video production contest for the Internet.
Produce a video which shows that yourself or someone you know can have a positive influence upon your own community and try to win a journey across Canada to shoot and run some short-video documentaries to appear on Parole citoyenne’s blog.
Admission benchmark: To be French-speaking, to have Canadian citizenship, to live in Canada (except Quebec) and to be 18 years-old and more.
To participate: You have to produce and submit a short-video on a theme that involves you emotionally. The video has to be produced with your own resources, to be free from any copyright and to be online on the contest’s website before the 30th of May 2008.
For more information on the themes, time, video-format and technical indications: http://citoyen.onf.ca/concours-engage-toi
7 THEATRE
« The Invisible Man » by Patrice Desbiens
Born bilingual and becoming an orphan, the invisible man decided to leave Timmins, his hometown, deprived of any substance. During his journey, he tries to gain more physical consistence. The story is told in both of his mother tongues; along his journey, the invisible man will become torn between his two cultures. “He needs a wife. He needs a country. Both let him down.”
“This production is marvellous; it is a poetic and theatrical jewel. You have to see the Invisible Man before he disappears”. - Le Droit
Starring: Robert Marinier and Roch Castonguay
Directed by : Robert Bellefeuille, Esther Beauchemin, Roch Castonguay and Robert Marinier.
th th From Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday April 6 Berkeley Theatre (26, Berkeley Street)
Information: (416) 534-6604 or www.theatrefrancais.com
Molière’s « Dom Juan » by Guillaume Bernardi
In the Francophonie Week context, students from the College Glendon drama class will present a classic and iconic play.
Dom Juan or the Stone Banquet is a Molière comedy in five acts. Dom Juan, young noble lives in Sicily. He is accompanied by his faithful valet Sganarelle. He collects love conquests, seducing young noble and servant women with the same success. Conquest is what matters to him; he drops these young ladies after seducing them, even after a wedding. But, one of them, Dona Elvire, will be the special one…
From Monday, March 17th to Thursday March, 20th at 8:00pm (Except the 20th at 5:30pm) at the Theatre Glendon (2275 Bayview Avenue) Entrance: $10
Information and reservations: (416) 487-6822
BOOK PUBLISHING
“Dawn, Dusk or Night” by Yasmina Reza
Original Title : L'aube, le soir ou la nuit Traduction : Carol Janeway - Publisher : Knopf - 208 pages Knopf Publishing Yasmina Reza followed during months Nicolas Sarkozy in an astonishing context of Group freedom and independence. This work is a literary and audacious project. It is the portrayal of a man’s conquest of power seen by a writer.
Release: Tuesday, March 18th
8 CINEMA
French Movies Released in Toronto
Days of Darkness by Denys Arcand Canada (2007) – Dramatic Comedy – 1h48
In his dreams, Jean-Marc is a valiant knight, a high-speed motorboat of the theatre and cinema, a sucessfull novelist who makes the women fall to his feet and into his bed... In reality, he is a nobody, a penpusher, an unimportant husband, a failed father who hides to smoke in hiding-place... But Jean-Marc resists temptations of his « land of fantasy » and decides to give himself a new chance in the real world. Denys Arcand's remarkable satire about contemporary Québécois life is both chilling and hysterical.
Starring : Marc Labreche, Diane Kruger, Sylvie Léonard
Caramel by Nadine Labaki France/Liban (2007) – Dramatic Comedy – 1h35
In Beirut, five women meet regularly in a beauty salon, a colorful and sensual microcosm of the city where several generations come into contact, talk and confide in each other. Layale loves Rabih, but Rabih is married. Nisrine is Muslim and her forthcoming marriage poses a problem; she is no longer a virgin. Rima is tormented by her attraction to women and especially to a lovely client with long hair. Jamale is refusing to grow old. Rose has sacrificed her life to take care of her elderly sister. In the salon, their intimate and liberated conversations revolve around men, sex and motherhood, between haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel.
Starring : Nadine Labaki, Yasmine Elmasri, Sihame Haddad.
NFB Mediatheque and the Consulate General of France are glad to present you every month :
Ciné-Jeudi
Featuring the best in French Films, the first Thursday of every month !
Like an Image by Agnès Jaoui France (2003) – Dramatic Comedy – 1h50
This is the tale of four people who know exactly what they'd do if they were somebody else, but can't handle being themselves very well. Very simply, they are struggling to find out who they are. Lolita Cassard is a young woman of 20 years who resent the entire world because she doesn't look like the girls in glossy
magazines or like her young mother-in-law. She would so much like to feel beautiful, at least in her father's eyes, if only her father's eyes could find her.
Etienne Cassard is a man who doesn't see other people much because he's busy looking at himself. He struggled long and hard to find his place in the world, and now he's feeling older and wanting for love. Pierre Miller has lost faith and doubts he'll ever meet with success. Sylvia Miller believes in her husband, at least in his talent, but has doubts about her own abilities and that of her pupil, Lolita -- until she realizes she's the daughter of Etienne Cassard, the author she admires so much.
Starring : Marilou Berry, Agnès Jaoui, Jean-Pierre Bacri
th Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 pm at the NFB (150, John Street)
Price : $6 / free for students and AFT members In French with English subtitles
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Ciné-Samedi
Featuring a French Film for Children, and their parents on a Saturday afternoon every month !
Talespinners Canada (2007) – Short animated films – 1h
Talespinners is an exceptional and vibrant collection of short animated films for children age 5-9. Adapted from books, each film is based on an acclaimed cross- cultural children's story that will engage young viewers with appealing characters and dynamic storylines, while sparking their imaginations.
The stories, chosen for their timeless appeal, explore a range of themes--identity, diversity, belonging, traditions and ceremonies, learning to fit in. Each tale centres on a character that children can identify with, delivered through charming narratives in age-appropriate language, providing an effective way to encourage positive attitudes among children.
Saturday, March 29th at 2:00pm at the NFB (150 John Street)
In French with English subtitles
Ciné-Jeunesse
Every month, a movie for teachers and students !
The National Film Board of Canada Mediatheque, in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Toronto, proudly introduces Ciné-jeunesse, an educational program offering daytime screenings of contemporary French- language films. Specially selected for Francophone and French-language secondary school students, but appealing to diverse audiences, these critically- acclaimed films offer an important window on French culture.
As all films are presented in French with English subtitles, the series also allows intermediate learners to improve language comprehension while being entertained.
“Ciné-jeunesse offers educators an innovative way to engage their students to deepen their knowledge of our French culture and language,” said Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. “This project demonstrates the National Film Board of Canada’s dedication to distinctive, innovative programming in both official languages”.
The program includes a choice of eight compelling films, including Nicolas Philibert’s touching documentary Être et avoir (a César Award winner) and Christophe Barratier’s Oscar-nominated feature Les Choristes.
Bookings begin at just $50 for a group of 25 ($2 per participant), to a maximum audience of 80.
Informations : Kirsty Evans (ONF) [email protected], Tél. : 416 973-0896
10
Universciné
Mon petit doigt m’a dit de Pascal Thomas France (2005) – Comedy – 1h45
Prudence and Belisaire are what can be called an eccentric couple. How can you bear such impossible Christian names in the first place? There must be no other Belisaire in France ; as for Prudence there are few more imprudent ladies than she is ! Just imagine : Belisaire is both a colonel in the military secret service and a past master at ... ironing ! And Prudence, not very inclined to be the model mother, prefers playing the amateur detective. Unsurprisingly, when several pensioners of an old people's home start dying mysteriously, Prudence is only too happy to leave daughter, son-in- law and grandkids behind in her beautiful home to follow the trail of adventure.
Starring : Catherine Frot and André Dussolier
Wednesday, March 12th at 7:30pm at Alliance Française (24 Spadina Road)
Free Entrance, English subtitles.
Francophonie Week/Alliance Française/CinéFranco
Demandez la permission aux enfants ! by Eric Civanyan. France (2006) – Comedy – 1h36
Three very different modern families have to face one same problem : their children have taken control at home. Then one day, adults decide to unite to take their revenge over children.
Starring : Sandrine Bonnaire, Pascal Légitimus, Anne Parillaud
Sunday March 16th at 2:00pm Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West)
Tickets : adults $8 / students and seniors $6 / AFT members $4 / free under 15
Short Films Festival
The Alliance Française in Toronto, with the support of the NFB, invites you to watch a selection of the best short films from the 2007 « Lutins du court-métrage » festival.
Program :
• « La Course nue » by Benoît Forgeard (20 mn) • « Rachel » by Frédéric Mermoud (15 mn) • « Le Mammouth Pobalski » by Jacques Mitsch (39 mn) • « Dérives » by Bill Barluet (19mn) • « L’Homme de la lune » by Serge Elissalde (17 mn) • « Comment on freine dans une descente? » by Alix Delaporte (18 mn)
Monday March 3rd at 7:30pm at the NFB (150, John Street)
Price : $4 Free entrance for students and AFT members
11
Cinematheque Ontario
Jacques Demy’s Retrospective
Trois places pour le 26 by Jacques Demy France (1988) - Musical – 1h43
Performing with his customary charm, Yves Montand returns to Marseille to star in a show based on his own life and career.
Starring : Yves Montand and Mathilda May
Sunday March 9th at 3:00pm
The world of Jacques Demy by Agnès Varda France/Belgium/Spain (1995) – Documentary – 1h30
The third and, in some ways, most penetrating portrait of Demy made by his wife,
Agnès Varda. She interweaves clips from Demy's films, presented in beautiful prints in proper aspect ratio, with insightful and entertaining interviews with many who worked with him, a veritable aristocracy of French cinema.
Starring : Anouk Aimée, Claude Berri and Richard Berry
Monday March 10th at 7:30pm
Jacquot de Nantes by Agnès Varda France (1991) – Dramatic Comedy – 1h58
Dramatised episodes from Demy's childhood are intercut with excerpts from his films, and interspersed with personal footage of Demy late in life. Young Jacquot, the son of an auto mechanic and a hairdresser, is crazy for puppet shows, plays, circuses, and movies. Spouting opinions about films, actresses, and directors, he becomes a baby cinephile. Despite privation and the Nazi occupation of France, Jacquot maintains his joy through the fantasy of becoming a filmmaker, creating his own characters at home, shooting films on a primitive camera in the attic, and trying out his tracking shots on roller skates.
Starring : Brigitte de Villepoix, Daniel Dublet and Philippe Maron
Thursday March 13th at 7:30pm
La naissance du jour by Jacques Demy France (1980) – Dramatic Comedy – 1h30
A very rare television film based on Colette's quasi-autobiography. A serene, sometimes joyous meditation in which the novelist puzzles through the state in which she found herself, an older woman, betrayed and misused in love, fearing that she would never be wanted again.
Starring : Jean Sorel, Dominique Sanda and Danièle Delorme
Le bel indifférent by Jacques Demy France (1957) – Dramatic Comedy - 29 mn
A very personal adaptation of the play Cocteau had written for Edith Piaf. A woman awaits Emile, her “bel indifférent,” attuned to every sound that enters her small hotel room. A night of jealousy, rage, forgiveness, and suicide threats ensues. Demy's first fiction film staked out his territory of love spurned, lost, regained.
Starring : Jeanne Allard, Angelo Bellini
Those two films will be screened on Sunday March 16th at 2:30pm
Cinematheque Ontario at Jackman Hall 317 Dundas Street West
All movies will be screened in French with English subtitles
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Frédéric Back Short Animated Films
This month, for the Francophonie Week, short animated filmmaker Frédéric Back will be presenting his films during an afternoon and an evening.
The Toronto Animated Image Society and Radio Canada are presenting a screening of Frédéric Back short films, made between 1980 and 1993. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the artist.
Saturday, March 15th at 4pm at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) Free Entrance
The Alliance Française of Toronto, in association with above-mentionned organizations, invites you to the screening of 5 other films by Frédéric Back, made between 1970 and 1977 and never sreened in Toronto. This evening will give Torontonians the opportunity to unveil 5 major works of this filmmaker : « Adacadabra », « Inon ou La conquète du feu », « La création des oiseaux », « Taratata » and « Illusion ».
Monday, March 17th a 7:00pm at the Alliance Française (24 Spadina Road)
Free Entrance (no English subtitles)
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