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NZ International Film Festival – July 2010 – French films

July 12th, 2010 No comments

Many of you will know that the International Film Festival is on right now. Euroasia is a long-standing supporter of international films in NZ, and every year we encourage all the students at Euroasia Language Academy to go watch these films. Here’s a list of some of the French films you should check out. As always, there’s an amazing selection of top films on offer.

p/s: Join us for French classes starting 19 July if you wish to enjoy French films without solely relying on the subtitles.

Normal ticket price is $15/session. Tip for film festival fans: if you’re planning on attending several films at the Festival this year (or planning to go with a group of people), check out the Ten-Trip Passes. At $105.00, it works out at great value. The Ten-Trip Pass can be purchased on the day or in advance and can be used throughout the Festival to secure tickets to any session that is not sold out. You can also share this pass with a friend or two.

Check out “The Tree” – 16/7 at Lido and 23/7 at Civic. Selected to close this year’s Cannes Film Festival, French director Julie Bertuccelli’s second feature is an arresting drama of loss and rebirth shaped by emotion, intuition and the elemental forces at work in its ravishing Queensland landscape.

French films showing in Auckland at the Film Festival:

A PROPHET

Jacques Audiard, France 2009, 155 mins

Jacques Audiard’s dense, involving, richly layered crimeworld drama is one of the year’s standout films. Set largely in a prison, bu…

15 Jul | 8:45pm

Civic Theatre

16 Jul | 3:45pm

Civic Theatre

AMER

Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani, France 2009, 90 mins

Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani are a Belgian couple who have made five short films together. Amer is their dazzling debut fea…

24 Jul | 8:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

25 Jul | 6:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

AROUND A SMALL MOUNTAIN

Jacques Rivette, France 2009, 84 mins

New Wave veteran Jacques Rivette sets a tentative late-life romance between a performer and an intrigued admirer in a tiny ramshackle circus…

10 Jul | 6:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

12 Jul | 6:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

9 Jul | 1:45pm

Rialto Newmarket

BABIES

Thomas Balmès, France 2010, 79 mins

With wit, tenderness and a keen eye for the fledgling signs of intelligence and sociability, director Thomas Balmès documents the fir…

10 Jul | 1:45pm

Civic Theatre

11 Jul | 4:00pm

Lido Cinema

Sold Out!

13 Jul | 11:00am

Civic Theatre

9 Jul | 3:30pm

The Bridgeway Cinema

CARLOS – PART ONE

Olivier Assayas, France 2010, 100 mins

This extraordinary three-film epic, made for French television, was showcased out of competition in Cannes to a storm of…

22 Jul | 4:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

23 Jul | 4:15pm

Rialto Newmarket

24 Jul | 4:15pm

Rialto Newmarket

25 Jul | 1:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

CARLOS – PART THREE

Olivier Assayas, France 2010, 123 mins

This extraordinary three-film epic, made for French television, was showcased out of competition in Cannes to a storm of…

22 Jul | 8:45pm

Rialto Newmarket

23 Jul | 9:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

24 Jul | 9:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

25 Jul | 5:45pm

Rialto Newmarket

CARLOS – PART TWO

Olivier Assayas, France 2010, 107 mins

This extraordinary three-film epic, made for French television, was showcased out of competition in Cannes to a storm of…

22 Jul | 6:15pm

Rialto Newmarket

23 Jul | 6:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

24 Jul | 6:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

25 Jul | 3:15pm

Rialto Newmarket

CERTIFIED COPY

Abbas Kiarostami, France 2010, 106 mins

At Cannes this was the year of Juliette Binoche. She graced the Festival’s poster; then she took the Best Actress Award for her role i…

18 Jul | 6:15pm

Civic Theatre

20 Jul | 11:00am

Civic Theatre

ENTER THE VOID

Gaspar Noé, France 2009, 156 mins

25 Jul | 8:15pm

Civic Theatre

FAREWELL

, France 2009, 113 mins

Christian Carion’s tensely atmospheric Cold War spy movie reveals an amazing true story. In the early 80s a disillusioned KGB colonel …

15 Jul | 6:00pm

Lido Cinema

20 Jul | 6:15pm

Civic Theatre

21 Jul | 11:00am

Civic Theatre

FATHER OF MY CHILDREN

Mia Hansen-Løve, France 2009, 110 mins

It’s a rare reviewer anywhere who has not been caught up by this persuasively acted portrait of a charismatic, workaholic, art-house m…

11 Jul | 1:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

15 Jul | 9:00pm

Rialto Newmarket

23 Jul | 3:30pm

The Bridgeway Cinema

24 Jul | 3:30pm

The Bridgeway Cinema

GAINSBOURG

Joann Sfar, France 2009, 130 mins

A quintessential French icon gets his big- screen bio. In the 60s, singer Serge Gainsbourg mixed pop outlawry with low-down lechery to blaze…

17 Jul | 5:45pm

Civic Theatre

20 Jul | 3:30pm

Civic Theatre

I’M GLAD MY MOTHER IS ALIVE

Claude Miller, Nathan Miller, France 2009, 90 mins

This compelling drama of a boy’s obsessive pursuit of his birth mother is based on a true story. Like many adolescents, rebellious Tho…

15 Jul | 3:45pm

Academy Cinema

19 Jul | 3:45pm

Academy Cinema

19 Jul | 8:30pm

Academy Cinema

LA DANSE: THE PARIS OPERA BALLET

Frederick Wiseman, France 2009, 158 mins

“In La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet, his 36th documentary in more than 40 years, Frederick Wiseman takes his camera into the stately …

16 Jul | 12:30pm

Civic Theatre

18 Jul | 12:30pm

Civic Theatre

MAMMUTH

Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern, France 2010, 89 mins

Inspired absurdists and cheerleaders of underclass rancour, Delépine and Kervern follow last year’s savoury Louise-Michel with …

17 Jul | 6:00pm

Lido Cinema

21 Jul | 1:30pm

Civic Theatre

23 Jul | 6:00pm

Lido Cinema

25 Jul | 4:00pm

Civic Theatre

OCEANS

Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud, France 2009, 84 mins

A miraculously photographed showcase of some of the seven seas’ least seen and most incredible specimens, Oceans is an immersive cinem…

17 Jul | 11:00am

Civic Theatre

18 Jul | 4:00pm

Civic Theatre

THE CONCERT

Radu Mihaileanu, France 2009, 119 mins

A band of out-of-work Moscow musicians travels to Paris posing as the celebrated Bolshoi Orchestra in this lavish, shamelessly popular comed…

11 Jul | 3:30pm

The Bridgeway Cinema

Sold Out!

13 Jul | 1:15pm

Civic Theatre

9 Jul | 6:15pm

Civic Theatre

THE TREE

Julie Bertuccelli, France 2010, 100 mins

Selected to close this year’s Cannes Film Festival, French director Julie Bertuccelli’s second feature is an arresting drama of loss and rebirth shaped by emotion, intuition and the elemental forces at work in its ravishing Queensland landscape. Like her first, the lovely Since Otar Left (NZIFF03), The Tree is attuned to the delicate, strangely inspired unwordliness of characters discombobulated by loss.

On their small country block, eight-year-old Simone and her mother Dawn (Charlotte Gainsbourg) are dealing in very different ways with the sudden loss of their father and husband. While Dawn struggles spasmodically to keep it together, and her other children fare for themselves, Simone becomes convinced of her father’s presence in the magnificent primeval Moreton Bay fig tree that towers over the family’s rambling bungalow. In Simone’s eyes, Martin Csokas as Dawn’s amorous boss has aroused the tree’s anger. Why else would its roots be rupturing the drains and pushing into the house’s foundations?

16 Jul | 6:00pm

Lido Cinema

22 Jul | 11:15am

Civic Theatre

23 Jul | 6:45pm

Civic Theatre

TWO IN THE WAVE

Emmanuel Laurent, France 2009, 93 mins

Cannes, 1959. The 400 Blows carries off the Best Director award. Its young director and even younger star, François Truffaut and Jean…

15 Jul | 4:00pm

SKYCITY Theatre

17 Jul | 11:45am

SKYCITY Theatre

21 Jul | 11:00am

Academy Cinema

WHITE MATERIAL

Claire Denis, France 2009, 102 mins

Over the past 22 years, Claire Denis (Beau Travail, 35 Shots of Rum) has built up one of the most impressive bodies of work in contemporary

18 Jul | 8:15pm

The Bridgeway Cinema

20 Jul | 8:30pm

Rialto Newmarket

24 Jul | 6:15pm

Rialto Newmarket

25 Jul | 3:45pm

Lido Cinema

Hayley Westenra finds French boyfriend, learns French

April 18th, 2010 2 comments
hayley westerna


News just got out that New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra has found a French boyfriend. “I have a lovely boyfriend, who I met in London,” she told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“He’s French. I’ve done very well for myself. I’m learning French, with lessons from one of his friends.”

“His English is great,” she added. “It’s really easy to be lazy and not to learn, but I really want to, particularly when I go to France and I hang out with his relatives who don’t speak a word of English.”

It’s amazing that she is even taking French lessons!  She is naturally very talented; we blogged about Hayley singing in Chinese last year.

Well, I guess this is bound to disappoint some of Hayley’s male fans.

Congrats Hayley. All the best for the future.

Posted via web from Euroasia

A Pain in the Ass – French Movie

October 5th, 2009 1 comment

The other day I went along to the preview of this brilliant movie “A Pain in the Ass” (L’Emmerdeur) by French writer-director FRANCIS VEBER, the guy behind The Valet, The Dinner Game and The Closet. This summary from Flicks: Francois Pignon (Patrick Timsit), whose wife (Virginie Ledoyen) has just left him for a shrink, checks into the same Nice hotel as hitman Ralf (Richard Berry). Ralf is there to stake out a key witness in a major corruption trial, while Pignon plans to hang himself in the bathroom. Their adjoining rooms bring them together; the perfect killer and the perfect pest. Complications cement their relationship as Pignon’s fondness for the cold-as-ice assassin grows stronger.

If you think you’ve met people who are a pain in the ass, wait till you meet Pignon!

This movie is coming out 15 October at your local cinema. Go check it out.

Should you wish to be able to watch French movies one day without looking at the English subtitles, you know who to call for French lessons.

p/s: Thanks Christine and Frederic from Evian for asking me along. Also met this guy who runs a water concept store. Yes they only sell water. Aquadeli on Mt Eden Road. They’ve been around for a while, but I’ve yet to go check them out. Have to visit sometime soon.

Why Kiwis learn French

July 2nd, 2009 No comments

The French language is certainly one of the most popular languages that Kiwis learn. Here are some reasons why you should consider learning French:
• Together with English and Spanish, French is one of the most international of European languages, spoken in all the continents of the world.
• French was for centuries the international language of diplomacy and culture; it’s still important in those fields.
• The French-speaking world has contributed an enormous number of great artists, writers, philosophers and scientists.
• France has a large economy with a huge international presence.
• French cuisine is world-renowned, and French is still the international language of cooking, so at least a smattering of the French language is useful for chefs and food enthusiasts.
• Young Kiwis can go and work in France, Belgium or Canada for one year under a working holiday scheme.
• If France seems a long way off, New Caledonia and French Polynesia are more accessible holiday destinations. Even a limited knowledge of the French language can enrich and enliven your tropical holiday.
• Much like speakers of English, French speakers tend not to be very enthusiastic about speaking other languages. There is no guarantee you will find someone prepared to speak to you in English!

You can learn French and other languages at award-winning Euroasia Language Academy. Over 2500 Aucklanders have attended one of our courses. Come check out our free taster lessons next week.

French Film Festival starting February 09

February 14th, 2009 1 comment

The French Film Festival kicks off in Auckland next week. Running from  February 18-26 at Rialto Newmarket, this annual event is bound to attract many local Francophiles.

Tickets cost $15.50. We highly recommend all our French students check out the films on offer.  For those of you tired of reading the subtitles, come along for one of our French courses :)

According to the official website, the following films are on offer.

Baby Love With: Lambert Wilson/ Pascal Elbé
Love Me No More With: Marie-Josée Croze/ Pierre Vaneck/ Albert Dupontel
A Simple Heart With: Sandrine Bonnaire/ Marina Foïs/Pascal Elbé
Actresses With: Valeria Bruno Tadeschi/Mathieu Amalric/ Louis Garrel
Lady Jane With: Ariane Ascaride/ Jean-Pierre Darroussin/ Gerard Meylan
What if… With Alice Taglioni/Jocelyn Quivrin/Thierry Lhermitte
Guilty With: Hélène Fillières/ Jérémie Renier
Crossed Tracks With: Fanny Ardant/ Dominique Pinon
Shall we kiss With: Virginie Ledoyen/ Emmanuel Mouret/ Fredérique Bel
London mon amour With: Virginie Ledoyen/ Vincent Lindon/ Pascal Elbé
The Great Alibi With: Miou-Miou/ Valeria Bruni Tadeschi/ Lambert Wilson/ Pierre Arditi
Me Two With: Alain Chabat/ Daniel Auteuil
Cash With:Alice Taglioni/ Jean Reno/ Jean Dujardin
Ulzhan With: Ayanat Ksenbai/ Philippe Torreton
Daddy Cool With: Daniel Auteuil/ Juliette Lamboley/ François Damiens
U Director: Serge Elissalde
Asterix at the Olympics With Gérard Depardieu/ Alain Delon/ Clovis Cornillac

If you decide that next year you would rather not rely 100% on the subtitles, come along for one of our French courses starting in March. Check out our French timetable here.

Why learn French

October 7th, 2008 No comments

French is the second most popular language at Euroasia, after Spanish. Here are some reasons why you should consider learning French:

  • Together with English and Spanish, French is one of the most international of European languages, spoken in all the continents of the world.
  • French was for centuries the international language of diplomacy and culture; it’s still important in those fields.
  • The French-speaking world has contributed an enormous number of great artists, writers, philosophers and scientists.
  • France has a large economy with a huge international presence.
  • Young Kiwis can go and work in France, Belgium or Canada for one year under a working holiday scheme.  A knowledge of French would obviously make a huge difference to anyone’s job prospects.
  • France itself has an incredible variety of scenery, from the rugged Atlantic coast, to the beautiful central valleys, to the Alps, to the Mediterranean landscapes of the south.  It offers great opportunities for outdoor activities.
  • French cities are active, busy places, where there is always a lot going on.  They have a unique café culture, and there are great opportunities for cinema, theatre, eating out and clubbing.
  • French cuisine is world-renowned, and French is still the international language of cooking, so at least a smattering of the French language is useful for chefs and food enthusiasts.
  • If France seems a long way off, New Caledonia and French Polynesia are more accessible holiday destinations.  And they are very French!  Even a limited knowledge of the French language can enrich and enliven your tropical holiday.
  • Much like speakers of English, French speakers tend not to be very enthusiastic about speaking other languages, so in France, for example, there is no guarantee you will find someone prepared to speak to you in English!

Find out more about learning French with Euroasia.  Or to enrol for a French course, check out the French timetable!

Courses start week of 13 October.