The annual multi-faceted French experience returns to Malaysia, with a new name, larger programme and wider reach!
The annual and now formerly known as French
Art & Film Festival that has
thrilled fans for 14 years returns with a new name this year; as Le French Festival (LFF) 2016 promises a French inter-cultural experience that’s
larger than life.
With the large scale festival taking
place from 6th May to 19th
June 2016 and the ‘lifestyle calendar’ occurring from 12th May to 18th June 2016, this 15th
edition will once again offer residents in the Klang Valley and Penang a host
of events, with this year extending its presence to other first-time
participating cities including Johor Bahru. Local and international
festival-goers in Malaysia can look forward to an exciting programme including
usual offerings such as the French Film Festival (within the larger festival),
live music performances and events with visiting French artists, as well as events
in gastronomy. This year will also see the introduction of new events such as
educational talks.
With more support, the festival is
able to reach a much larger scale this year. Organised by the Alliance
Française and the Embassy of France in Malaysia, and supported by the Institut
Français, the festival is once again presented by Martell and in collaboration
with a number of partners including Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC).
Previous editions of the festival
consistently attracted a uniquely diverse audience including French and
international locally-based communities, tourists visiting Malaysia during the
festival period, college students, children, mature adults, as well as art
enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. With an ever-growing fan-base, last
year’s festival recorded its highest support ever at an impressive 9,200 spectators
including 6,000 for the film festival alone, seeing an increase of 6% in box
office goers from the year before.
What to
expect
Among the highlights to expect this
year are 14 recent releases in French cinema for movie-goers of all ages from
children to adults, along with 15 main events under the festival calendar for
art-enthusiasts, music-lovers and foodies alike. Along with the much
anticipated live events such as concerts and sessions with visiting French
celebrities and artists as well as the regular exciting happenings under the
lifestyle banner, this year will see new additions to the calendar including
public gastronomy events in support of French trade and tourism, as well as
events in education themed in science and literature.
Expect Le French Festival 2016 to
offer something for everyone, as a culturally-invigorating experience not to be
missed.
FILM FESTIVAL
CINEMA:
French Film Festival* with Golden Screen Cinemas
|
· Klang Valley: 12-29 May 2016
at GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley Megamall, KL GSC
Nu Sentral, KL and
GSC 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya
· Penang: 2-12 June 2016
at GSC Gurney Plaza
|
A sub-festival within the larger festival, enjoy
only the best in French cinema with some 14 recent releases including
comedies, dramas and animated films, to be screened at selected GSC outlets.
This year will see a special theme whereby a selection of the titles featured
are film adaptations of celebrated novels.
Among the titles we can look
forward to include the heart-warming family film “The Belier Family” (La Famille Belier), the highly
successful children’s animation “The Little Prince” (Le Petit Prince), the romantic comedy “Caprice”, the
historical-themed “The Princess of Montpensier” (La Princesse de Montpensier), as well as the spy-spoof “OSS 117, Lost In Rio” (OSS 117, Rio ne Repond Plus).
Tickets will be available for purchase via GSC website or cinema box office. True-blue festival fans and movie-buffs can also keep a lookout for ticket giveaways in the media.
*Refer to attached movie synopsis
document for more information on film selection.
Hi-res photos of the movie posters
from this year’s film selection can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/1QQI6tL
|
LIVE EVENTS & SHOWS
It’s an exhilarating programme of live events, with musical performances, special events with visiting French artists including a dance performance, a film workshop, a fashion photography exhibition, and more.
CINEMA:
Workshop with director Raphaël Haroche and
screening of his film Revox
|
·
Wednesday 18 May 2016 at 7:30pm
at Pitching Center, KL Sentral Kuala Lumpur
|
Accomplished artist Raphael Haroche comes to Kuala
Lumpur to share his experience working on his musical short-film. A
well-known singer and musician, Revox
is Raphael’s first venture into filmmaking where he lends his talents as
director, writer and actor.
The film, which also stars Raphael’s actress wife
and long-term partner Melanie Thierry, features puzzle-piece story-telling
about a man who lives in a Paris apartment and can see through the walls the
traces left by previous occupants. Revox,
which refers to a brand of audio recording equipment, tells the love-story of
the couple who once inhabited the apartment, stirring questions of love and relationships.
Along with getting to meet Raphael and Melanie
Thierry in person, get inside the mind of a filmmaker as he answers questions
and shares his process in making the film as well as composing the
soundtrack.
This invite-only event is expected to attract
members of the local film community.
|
CINEMA:
An evening with actress Melanie Thierry and
screening of The Princess of Montpensier
|
·
Thursday 19 May 2016 at 7:30pm
at GSC Pavilion KL
|
A previous Best Actress winner at the 2010 Cesar
awards (French equivalent to Oscars), beloved French actress Melanie Thierry
will grace LFF with her presence, as she hosts a Q&A session along with a
screening of The Princess of
Montpensier, one of the feature selections in this year’s film festival.
In town for the festival with her artist husband
Raphael Haroche, the beautiful talent will share her experience playing the
title role of the period piece set in 16th century France. Get up
close and personal with ‘the princess’ herself, as she shares what it was
like to play a heroine during a time of war, as well as to be a part of the
film that won the Best Costume Design Cesar award in 2010.
This event will be open to members of the public by
obtaining a ticket from GSC.
|
MUSIC:
Acoustic concert with French singer
songwriter Raphael
|
·
Friday
20 May 2016 at 8:30pm
at MATIC, Jalan Ampang KL |
On
his debut Asian tour, singer songwriter Raphael will bring the sounds of his
10th album “Sleepwalkers” (Somnambules),
to
a one-night only acoustic set in Kuala Lumpur.
With
the success of his album Caravane,
Raphael reached the top of the French and European charts, selling millions
of records with a number of notable hits. With lyrics that touch
on both social and political themes, Raphael’s unique sound was accompanied
by the singing of school children from his own neighbourhood on
this latest album.
Wanting to emulate his inimitable
vision for Sleepwalkers, Raphael will be accompanied by a local choir of
children as he will entertain listeners with this special unplugged concert.
Tickets priced at RM53 for standard
guests and RM45 for those with corporate promo codes are now available via
Ticket Pro at ticketpro.com.my/jnp/concert/1836515-Raphael-Asean-Acoustic-Tour.html
|
MUSIC:
French Touch night
|
·
Saturday,
28 May 2016 at 10pm
at Como, TREC KL |
French artists have been known to contribute to the
global scene of house music. Aiming to host nightlife seekers and music
lovers, a special event will be held at an exciting city hotspot which will
include a special screening of Eden,
a selection from the 2016 film festival.
The film, by Mia
Hansen-Løve, is
based on the true story of her brother Sven, portrayed through the fictional
character of Paul. Set in early 90s Paris where raves dominated, the story
centres around Paul’s dive into house music, forming the DJ duo Cheers with
his friend at around the same time famed French duo Daft Punk was formed.
Depicting a euphoric party era and pulsating with the reckless heartbeat of
youth, discover the ‘French Touch’ and how it was born.
Relive the ‘French Touch’ and enjoy a special night at
new bar Como at TREC, KL with French electro music and DJs sets along with
the film screening.
The event will be subject to venue cover charges.
|
MUSIC:
Fête de la Musique
|
·
Saturday
18 June 2016 from 5pm to 11pm
at
The Square, Publika KL
·
Sunday
12 June 2016 from 5pm to 9pm
at Outdoor Amphitheatre, Gurney Plaza, Penang |
Kuala Lumpur:
Offering
a truly French atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur, LFF is partnering with Publika KL
to celebrate both the iconic Fête de la
Musique and EuroCup 2016 which will be hosted by France from 10 June to
10 July 2016.
First
taking place in Paris in 1982, Fête de
la Musique has become an international phenomenon, celebrated in more
than 460 cities in 110 countries. The festival will have two focuses to
fulfill its purpose to promote music: free concerts that will be accessible
to the public, as well as encouraging amateur and professional musicians to
perform in the streets under the slogan "Faites de la Musique" (a homophone of the festival that
translates to "make music").
A
lineup of over 10 musical acts will entertain on The Square’s central stage.
Among the acts we can expect to see include French singer Mathilde Limal
accompanied by the band Bechamel Mucho, as well as Malaysia’s own favourite
hip hop superstar on-the-rise SonaOne, who also happens to be half French
himself! Bringing a colourful blend of musical sounds to include romantic and
fun Chanson Francaise opera and even some quirky rumba, other acts will
include Priscilla
Xavier, Rozella, Azmyl, Brendan De Cruz, Endee Ahmad, Ian Tai, Kim Lim, Otam
and Joi Noir.
This
special outdoor event will be free and open to anyone who loves music, and
the festive evening will culminate in a live screening of the Iceland vs
Hungary EuroCup 2016 match. Food & beverage stalls will also be set up in
the area to create the perfect night for this annual music celebration.
Penang:
Alliance
Française de Penang is organizing its second participation in Fête de la Musique at the new outdoor amphitheatre in Gurney Plaza and in Pulau Tikus. Open
to any amateur or professional musicians who are keen to perform, and free
entry for all music lovers!
|
MUSIC:
An Evening with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra with
Guest Soloist Florent Audibert
|
·
Sunday 19 June 2016 at 8pm
at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios, Johor Bahru
|
The Malaysian
Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) makes its long-awaited return to Johor Bahru at
this year’s Classical Music Festival 2016 under the Johor Bahru:
International Festival City (JB: IFC) event.
Proudly sponsored by
the Embassy of France in Kuala Lumpur, guest soloist Florent Audibert will
thrill with a Cello concerto in B minor, op. 104, of the Czech composer
Antonin Léopold Dvorak.
Tickets are expected to be available via MPO box office
and/or ticketing for JB:IFC.
|
ART:
Dance performance Autarcie (…) by Compagnie Par Terre
|
·
Saturday 21 May 2016 at 8:30pm
at KL PAC, Sentul |
For 50 minutes, four
dancers will alternate between forward-facing dance moves and free
digression, in which two hip hop dance specialties, breakdance and popping,
are brought into contact.
Autarcie (…) is a
game of strategy, with the front of the stage is the rallying point where the
four powerful individualities come together and devise a warrior dance
directed at the audience. Witness the inner workings of this restless “tribe”
with all the power struggles that ensue, thus unfolding on stage, to the
pulsating, unbridled rhythms of the percussive organic beat.
Accomplished dancer
and choreographer Anne Nguyen founded the Par Terre Company after a string of
successful performances as a hip hop and contemporary dancer for various
companies. First and foremost a B-girl, she has competed, choreographed and
battled for various titles, while also expressing herself as a poet and
contributor to various editorial titles.
Regular priced are
going for RM45, while AFKL members and concession tickets for students, disabled
and senior patrons can be purchased at RM35. Tickets can be purchased online
via ticketpro.com.my/autarcie
|
ART:
Photography exhibition entitled “Yves Saint Laurent, La Naissance d’une Légende”
|
·
From Wednesday 1 June to Saturday 25 June 2016
at Galeri Petronas, Suria KLCC – Opening Hours 10am-8pm |
“Fashion fades, style is eternal”- Yves Saint Laurent.
The mastery of
legendary fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent is retold via a quintessential
collection of photographs, captured by lauded photographer Pierre Boulat.
Featuring 49 black & white photographs, Boulat followed
the lives of Yves Saint Laurent and his long-time partner Pierre Bergé, taking their
pictures on and off for some 30 years. The exhibition offers an insight into the celebrated designer’s life after leaving his role as head designer at
Christian Dior. The captures portray Yves Saint Laurent at work and
his magical preparation process; adjusting the final details of his show
backstage, during drawing sessions or quietly working on his own, giving us
the chance to feel his excitement,
as well as the quality and originality of his creative practice.
The
exhibition is will be free admission to the public, with a special opening
cocktail at the gallery.
|
GASTRONOMY
No cultural experience is complete without a generous serving of authentic cuisine. LFF 2016 will see wider outreach in its calendar of gastronomy events, as various publicly accessible venues will host tastings for authentic French food and drink.
No cultural experience is complete without a generous serving of authentic cuisine. LFF 2016 will see wider outreach in its calendar of gastronomy events, as various publicly accessible venues will host tastings for authentic French food and drink.
GASTRONOMY:
Bonjour France
|
·
Isetan
KLCC
Launching
on 6 May at 11:30am. Continues till 19 May 2016
·
Jason’s
Food Hall, Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC)
Launching
on 7 May at 11:30am. Continues till 15 May 2016
·
Village
Grocer at Bangsar Village I
Starting 6 May and launching on 7 May at 3:00pm. Continues till 15 May 2016
·
Jaya
Grocer at The Intermark, KL
Beginning 5 May and launching on 8 May at 11:30am. Continues till 19 May 2016
·
Cold
Storage [specific
outlet to be disclosed]
From 7-15 May 2016
·
Mercato
Marketplace Pavilion
From 7-15 May 2016
· Publika KL (at the boulevard)
from 13-15 May 2016 |
A gastronomic offering to bring a true
taste of France to the Malaysian public, Bonjour France is a two-week food
fair happening at various participating partner locations in the Klang
Valley.
Supported by various French brands of
trusted names, expect authentic products from the well-known regions of
Bretagne, Aquitaine and Normandy.
Foodies can also expect a number of
mouthwatering activities such as a cooking demonstration and ephemeral
restaurant by famous French school of culinary arts with 120 years of
experience “Le Cordon Bleu”. There
will also be plenty of quality samplings, champagne tastings and lucky draws
with numerous gifts and prizes to be won.
This special interactive food fair
will be open to the public with special invite-only launch dates for certain
locations.
|
GASTRONOMY:
Tastings with Martell
|
Mumm
Champagne Tasting (2 sessions)
· Wednesday 1 June 2016 at 7:30pm
at Neo Tamarind, Jalan Sultan Ismail KL
· Tuesday 7 June 2016 at 7:30pm
at Ritz
Carlton, Jalan Imbi KL
Martell Cognac Tasting
· Thursday 9 June 2016 at 7:30pm
at Elegantology (Publika) Solaris Dutamas, KL
Mixology
Workshop (to coincide with ‘French Touch’ night)
· Saturday 28 May 2016 at 8:30pm
at Como, TREC KL
Cooking
Atelier with Martell Cognac
· Friday 3 June 2016 at 7:30pm
at AFKL on Lorong Gurney, KL |
Every year, presenting sponsor of the festival
Martell partners with hip restaurants, hotels and locations in Kuala Lumpur
to present special tasting sessions and a cooking class.
Martell - being the oldest of the
great cognac houses - was founded in 1715 at the height of French Art de Vivre, and has been offering
gastronomy, tasting and craftsmanship for over 300 years of its history.
Tasting sessions will be organised to
discover more about champagne, cognac and cocktails with mixology workshops
that will awaken the senses. A privileged rendezvous for epicureans, discover
how to highlight the richness of the cognac and champagne, when to best serve
each beverage and more helpful tips for your own future refined evenings.
These tasting events will include a
set dinner charge and interested foodies will be able to reserve a space at
RM70 per person for each session by emailing in to AFKL at info@lefrenchfestival.com.my
|
LIFESTYLE & GASTRONOMY:
Garage Sale
|
·
Saturday 11 June 2016 from
10am to 3pm
at AFKL on Lorong Gurney, KL |
There’s nothing quite like a
neighbourhood garage sale to encourage friendly exchanges!
Whether an expatriate family moving
home who would like to sell their second-hand items, or just a bargain hunter
interested to find unique pre-loved items such as equipment or clothes, there
is surely treasure to be uncovered at this garage sale. All the while
fighting waste and supporting the environment by saying ‘no’ to
excess packaging!
Held in the cosy garden space
around Alliance
Française, there will also be French food and drink to savor as you browse
and relax in the lively and sociable atmosphere.
Those wishing to put up a stall of
their own can now reserve a space by e-mailing in to info@lefrenchfestival.com.my . Stalls are
for rent at RM 40 each for the whole day.
|
EDUCATION
For the first time ever, the festival with focused
efforts from the French Embassy, will extend its programme to include
educational events themed in science and literature that will be held at
university spaces in the Klang Valley and even Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
EDUCATION:
Immersion France @ Borneo |
·
10-11 May 2016
at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu |
Organized
by Malaysia-France University Centre (MFUC) and the Embassy of France, this
programme aims to promote higher education in France as well as French as a
foreign language. Attending students will get to find out more about student
life in France concerning the cost of living, available scholarships, course
offered by universities and more.
More
than just an educational talk, this event will be an innovative and
interactive programme that will deliver information in the form of games. 200
students who will form 4 groups of 50 students will be given 2 hours to
complete the games and collect points at four different thematic stations
(Why choose France, Understand French Higher Education, Prepare your Stay in
France & The Importance of French Language).
This
programme will welcome students from 7 invited schools from around Sabah and
Labuan namely SMK. St Michael, SMS Sabah. SMK Sanzac, SMK Elapora, SMS Lahad
Datu, SMK Labuan and SMS Labuan.
|
EDUCATION:
French Language Symposium |
·
7-8 May 2016
at University Malaya |
Titled:
“Innovative practices in facing the challenges of the teaching of French
as a foreign language in the 21st century in Malaysia”, University Malaya and the Education
Department of the Embassy of France in Malaysia are jointly organising a
national symposium to contribute to the training of teachers.
Via plenary and workshop sessions, the
conference will allow participants to exchange notes over a one-and-a
half-day symposium, on the innovative practices facing the challenges of the
teaching of French language in the 21st century.
This
unique educational assembly will also gather the French language global
television network, TV5monde and the University of Reunion Island with the
participation of the TV host of “Destination Francophone” Yvan Kabacoff, as
well as the Professor-researcher Christian Ollivier, as guest speakers. Prof.
Ollivier will be speaking on the topic of “Theatre Practices and
Socio-Interactional Approaches: To more authenticity and motivation in
language classes”.
Open
to the public with special encouragement for participation from all
stakeholders involved in French language in Malaysia.
|
EDUCATION:
ICT –BIO Asia Workshop 2016 |
·
30-31 May 2016
at IPPP Auditorium, University Malaya |
Co-organized
by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, the
Malaysia France University Centre, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and University
Malaya, this scientific workshop will bring together French and Asian
scientists, representatives of partner institutions and public and private
sectors, with a view to the call for projects related to the regional
scientific funding schemes, ICT-Asia and Bio-Asia programs. The talks in
English will focus on the following four scientific themes namely Biomass and
Renewable Energies, Cybersecurity, Green Smart Cities and Health &
Wellbeing.
This event will be open to the general
public, and more information can be obtained via
www.ictbioasia2016.org(Construction on progress)
www.ambafrance-my.org/Seminaire-Bio-STIC-Asie-2016-Appels-a-communications
|
EDUCATION:
Fauconnier Literature Symposium |
·
20-21 May 2016
at Hotel de Palma, Kuala Selangor |
This
event is centred around French writer Henri Fauconnier, winner of the
Goncourt Prize 1930 (the most esteemed literature prize in France) for his
novel Malaisie, which has now been translated
into Bahasa Malaysia by celebrated Malaysian academician and sasterawan Muhammad Haji Salleh.
Writers,
scholars and language connoisseurs will gather to let you discover Malaysia
through novels written by planters of rubber trees who shared their
experiences through writing, as well as through pantuns.
This
event is expected to be via invitation only.
|
More information on the 2016 lineup is available on the
festival’s official website www.lefrenchfestival.com.my, and those on social media can ‘Like’ the Facebook page by
searching for ‘Le French Festival – MY’ or by typing in
facebook.com/lefrenchfestivalmy. Follow or contribute to the festival’s
presence on social media with the hashtag #frenchfestivalmy
Le French Festival is heavily supported by a number of French
and local sponsors and partners without whom, the festival would not be
possible. Among those include presenter Martell and partner Golden Screen
Cinemas (GSC); in the Klang Valley Chateau de Lafont, BNP, Intermovers, Air
France, AGS, DCNS, Aesop, Brandt Asie, Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, MATIC, KL
PAC, FINAS, Publika KL; and in Penang ESCATEC and Hotel Equatorial.
Queries on the 2016 festival can be directed to Alliance
Française de Kuala Lumpur by calling +603-2694 7880 or by emailing in to info@lefrenchfestival.com.my
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