NOIR - A film noir retrospective bridging France and Hong Kong
03 Jun (Fri) - 26 Jun (Sun)

Broadway Cinematheque
PALACE IFC

A new and ambitious programme that pays tribute to one of France and Hong Kong’s favourite genres, Film Noir.
http://bc.cinema.com.hk/adhoc/fm2011/
http://www.frenchmay.com/event/noir-film-noir-retrospective-bridging-france-and-hong-kong

A highlight in the Festival, this unique retrospective not only serves as a bridge between France and Hong Kong, it also places a spotlight on their different approaches to the genre, showcasing their creative diversity and distinctive styles. As such, the programme is varied, with crime, thrillers and dramas that encompass fictional stories tinted with a realism and romanticism that captures the essence of the French genre. And in contrast, the stylistic grittiness evocative of Hong Kong, as well as stories that reflect society or surrealism.

The programme comprises three parts: Panorama, which focuses on French contemporary cinema over the last decade; Classics in Focus, featuring French classics spanning the 60’s up to the 90’s; And Carte Blanche to Johnnie To, a selection of films that mainly represent Hong Kong’s New Wave cinema of the 80’s.

Le French May is particularly delighted that this latter section has been designed in association with Johnnie To and his legendary production company Milkyway Image to underline Hong Kong’s unique identity and most talented directors.

Panorama features ten titles by a variety of filmmakers who approach the genre in a very personal way. The selection opens with A Prophet by Jacques Audiard, which won the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.

Other films include The Young Lieutenant by director Xavier Beauvois, The Killer, directed by his long time script-writing partner, Cédric Anger; and two not-to-be-missed films: the animated science-fiction film Renaissance by Christian Volckman and Boarding Gate by Olivier Assayas, which was partly filmed in Hong Kong.

Classics in Focus showcases famous filmmakers such as Jacques Becker, Jean-Pierre Melville and Alain Corneau, as well as some fantastic book adaptation’s like Claude Chabrol’s This Man Must Die, from the Nicholas Blake novel, and Claude Miller’s Police Custody, originally titled Brainwash, by John Wainwright...