from right H.E Amb. Thierry Borjade Mozota of France with Businessman and French film producer Louis Paul Heusaff Photo by Jude Bautista

Text and photos

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

More and more the exchange of movies, talent and now media coverage seem to grow between France and the Phil. The 15^th French film fest opened at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall last week and will run until Sunday June 13. Local audiences can watch the best and latest from French cinema for free. H.E Amb. Thierry Borjade Mozota of France in his speech said, “Cinema is the real link between France and the Phil. Martin Macalintal has devoted himself to provide a link of assistance and constant projects of cooperation between film makers and the media. Most recently he assisted Cesca Litton when she covered the Cannes film fest. We are proud of having her there.”

from left Echo Rosales, Shangri-La Plaza General Manager Lala Fojas, Cesca Litton Photo by Jude Bautista

The festival opened last June 3 with the screening of “L’Amour c’est mieux à deux” by Dominique Farrugia. The French Director is currently shooting a new film in the Philippines executive produced by compatriot Louis Paul Heussaff.

from left French Cultural Counselor Christian Merer, French Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Robin Padilla and KLM Commercial Dir. Caroline David Photo by Jude Bautista

Christian Merer, French Cultural Counselor reminded the press that “Brillante Mendoza won several awards at the Cannes Festival last year for “Kinatay” while Jim Libiran won the Youth Jury Prize (Pari de L’Avenir) in the 2008 Paris Cinema International Film festival. There is a true exchange and appreciation of films between the two countries.”

from right GMA network’s Special Assistant to the President Rod Cornejo with his niece Deniece Cornejo Photo by Jude Bautista

As a tradition, the French Film Festival pays tribute to Philippine cinema on June 12, with the screening of “Lola” at the Shang Cineplex.

Just last month, The Alliance Francais de Manille and the Goethe Institute were able to bring in rappers and dancers from France and Germany. In a week long seminar and concerts, they were able to share their talents with local rappers specifically from Tondo. The event was called “Rap sa Tondo”. Libiran and the rappers from “Tribu” played hosts to the French and German hip hop artists.

Echo Rosales with Cristina Moricca of the Phil Italian Association Photo by Jude Bautista

French Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal also credited Shangri-La Plaza Mall saying that “the French festival has found a home here in Manila because of them.” Shangri-La Plaza General Manager Lala Fojas in turn said in her speech, “The 100 films produced in France each year is a testament to the cinematic genius of the French film maker. The Festival has an outstanding line up that cover all human travails. We will never tire of rolling the red carpet for the 15^th French film fest and future festivals.”

The French Film Festival will run from June 3 to 13 at the Shang Cineplex of the Shangri-La Plaza in Manila, from June 18 to 20 at the Ayala Center in Cebu. A retrospective of classic films of Eric Rohmer will run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from June 15 to 19, in honor of the late filmmaker who passed away early this year. Finally, a selection of films will be shown at the UP Film Institute for the film and mass communication students, followed by discussions with film professors.

from left AFM Director Stéphane Doutreland, French Cultural Counselor Christian Merer, Pres. of AFPA Zinddy Zapata, KLM Commercial Dir. Caroline David with the winners of the ‘Let’s Go to France Program’, Ma. Kristina Yap and Divina Tricia Photo by Jude Bautista

from left French Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Luis Manzano, Madeleine Humphries, Raymond Gutierrez and Robin Padilla Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: Angéle (Virginie Efira) easily gets the klutzy Michel’s (Clovis Cornillac) heart. Catch ‘the Perfect Date’ at Shangri-La Plaza during the French Film fest from June 3 to 13.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

For a long time, people believed that horror flicks were the perfect date movie. After several researches have shown that laughter tends to be an aphrodisiac, comedies and romantic comedies in particular have become the safest date movie genre. Why not impress them even more by showing your sophistication and choosing a French title?

‘L’Amour C’est Amieux’ or ‘The Perfect Date’(English title) is one of many films showing at the Shangri-La Cineplex from June 3 to 13 for the 15^th French film fest. You also don’t have to shell out extra bucks because it’s free.

The film attracted a million audiences on the opening day alone in France. The humor and romance, in ‘The Perfect Date’ definitely translates well to all audiences. Robin Padilla who attended the premiere said that this was his type of film, “There are no computer generated effects and emphasizes actors’ performances. Filipinos will love watching it.”

H.E. Amb. Thierry Borjade Mozota of France, Robin Padilla and Martin Makalintal French Audio Visual Attaché at the premiere of ‘the Perfect Date’ at Shangri-La Plaza during the French Film fest runs from June 3 to 13. Photo by Jude Bautista

The central character Michel Nathan (Clovis Cornillac) is an architect looking for a romantic, perfect date. The problem comes in when he tries to emulate what he believes to be the perfect date or romance. After his grandparent’s golden wedding anniversary he decides that every true and real love comes out of a chance encounter where neither partner intended to meet. That’s the way his grandparents and his parents met. He’s determined to have his own romantic chance encounter.

Most of the comedy does come from Clovis Cornillac who resembles director Quentin Tarantino but acts more like Benny Hill or Mr. Bean. Cornillac is a renowned French actor who has done it all from action to comedy. In this film he is able to portray a klutzy, romantically inept but successful architect. His best friend Vincent (Manu Payet) is a divorce lawyer who changes girlfriends every few months or so. Vincent also preys on his clients who are recently divorced.

Clovis Cornillac

Quentin Tarantino

After hearing his friend’s sob story for the nth time, Vincent decides to set up a chance encounter for Michel without him knowing it. Angéle (Virginie Efira) is a sweet faced blonde bombshell that easily takes Michel’s heart. She has a bob cut with crystal blue eyes and a voluptuous body. She is also angelic in every sense of the word, caring for her sister Heléne (Sophie Vouzelaud) who’s in a wheel chair. The ensuing relationship with Michel is a source of laughter and comedy.

The French also fall into the tendency in sending the wrong text message. They’re a lot less text savvy or addicted than us Filipinos. Michel mistakenly replaces a letter in a word and turns socks into sex in his text to Angéle. They also poke fun at hairy arm pits that some European women have. Angéle teases her best friend Claudine (Laurence Arné) for not shaving. In the next scene Claudine raises her arms in the air showing off her bare armpits to seduce a guy.

Paris is a spectacular backdrop for any love story and is not a cliché. It’s refreshing to see actual Parisians enjoying their city that Hollywood has used so much for their own rom coms. The street lights and bridges that have been there for a century or more and even the river also become characters of the film. Dominique Farrugia, the film’s co-director has a long list of credits as actor, writer, director and producer. Known more for his comedies, he has worked as program director for tv network Canal+ and organized several other cable channels like Cuisine and Comedie. Farrugia is currently in Cebu til June 15 shooting a film produced by Louis Paul Heusaff, a French businessman based in Phil.