Paris, je t'aime (French for "Paris, I love you"), released in 2006, is a collaboration between a cast of various nationalities and 22 directors, including Gurinder Chadha, Sylvain Chomet, Joel and Ethan Coen, Gerard Depardieu, Wes Craven, Alfonso Cuarón, Nobuhiro Suwa, Alexander Payne, Tom Tykwer, Walter Salles and Gus Van Sant. Each of the short films within the film is set in a different arrondissement of the French capital.
Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (Welcome to the Sticks) tells the story of Philippe Abrams, the manager of the postal service (La Poste) in Salon-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhőne, in southern France. He is married to Julie, whose depressive character makes his life miserable. Philippe does everything to get a job at an office on the Mediterranean seaside to make her happy. Because this favourable position will be granted to somebody who is disabled he pretends to be so. However, the management finds out. As punishment, he is banished to Bergues, a town near Dunkirk in northern France, for two years. Northern France, and the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in particular, is considered "the sticks" - a cold and rainy place inhabited by unsophisticated ch'tis who speak a strange, barely understandable dialect. However, to Philippe's surprise, Bergues proves to be a charming place teeming with warm, friendly people and co-workers. The film starring popular French comedian Dany Boon will be shown on Friday.
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long) directed by Philippe Claudel is a multi award-winning film, including a BAFTA for best film not in the English Language. The film stars Kristin Scott Thomas who won the European Film Award for Best European Actress for her performance. Director Christophe Barratier's film Faubourg 36 will be shown on November 29.
Detailed Programme:
4:30pm, November 26 - Paris, je t'aime (Paris, I Love You); 120 min
4:30pm, November 27 - Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (Welcome to the Sticks); 106 min
4:30pm, November 28 - Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long); 117 min
4:30pm, November 29 - Faubourg 36; 120 min
4:30pm, November 30 - Le Fils de l'épicier (The Grocer's Son); 96 min
4:30pm, December 1 - Versailles; 102 min
4:30pm, December 1 - Sukkar banat (Caramel); 95 min.
