First established in 1953, the French Cinepanorama is one of the oldest Hong Kong film festivals. Its 38th in 2009, the film festival is divided into Opening Film & Premieres, New Films, First Works, Retrospective, Focus and Short Films. Jam-packed with over fifty works, it is the festival’s biggest ever.

The most anticipated film in the Opening Film & Premieres category must be ‘Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky’. Playing Coco Chanel in the film, actress Anna Mouglalis is also the current spoke-person for Chanel in Paris. She plays the legendary designer who had a controversial affair with Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Mouglalis will also attend the event with director Jan Kounen. Also shown in 2009 Cannes Film Festival is ‘Ne Te Retourne Pas’, about a female writer (co-played by Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci) encountering weird physical changes and stepping into a mysterious zone. More from the Cannes Film Festival is ‘L’épine dans le coeur’ by Michel Gondry, combining his signature dreamy visual with a documentary about his aunt (whom used to teach in a village). Are we to expect something like his previous self-written script ‘La Science Des Rêves’?

The closing party ‘Tati Concert’ will take place in the open air space near Lan Kwai Fong (Central, Hong Kong). As shown in ‘Le French May’, the re-mastered version of ‘Les Vacances De Monsieur Hulot’ by Jacques Tati includes a rare scene inspired by ‘Jaws’ (by Steven Spielberg). The second feature film of the director, it was also part of Cannes classics 2009 selection.

Text: THINK SILLY | Translation: dilettante
Photo Courtesy: Alliance Française de Hong Kong
Update: 13 Nov 2009

27 Nov – 13 Dec 2009

THE 38TH FRENCH CINEPANORAMA
www.frenchcinepanorama.com