Exciting lineup announced for Cork French Film Festival 

The 35th Cork French Film Festival has announced its lineup. Many of these French-language films will be having their premieres from March 2 to March 10 at the Arc Cinema.

The festival, organised by Alliance Française de Cork, was launched at the Metropole Hotel by MEP Deirdre Clune; Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy; deputy head of mission, embassy of France in Ireland, Marianne Barkan-Cowdy; and festival directors Valérie David-McGonnell and Josselin Le Gall.

Ms Barkan-Cowdy said: “The French embassy is delighted to support the 35th Cork French Film Festival, which is an important cultural connection between France and Ireland.

“This collaboration reflects the ongoing commitment to strengthening cultural ties, celebrating the arts, and promoting mutual understanding between our two nations in the context of the 2021-2025 French-Irish joint plan of action.”

Ms David-McGonnell and Mr Le Gall said they are “thrilled” to direct the festival, which they said has gone “from strength to strength” over its 35 years.

“You don’t need to speak French to enjoy our programme, as all our films are subtitled,” they stated. “There is something for every cinephile in our festival.”

The festival begins with the Irish premiere of Jeanne du Barry, a historical drama directed by the acclaimed Maïwenn and starring Johnny Depp. It opened the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Sports are the themes of Nadia, Butterfly, Final Set, and the film proposed for post-primary schools Tempête (Ride Above). There will be three venues for school screenings this year in Cork, Mallow, and Midleton.

Three of this year’s 18 films won at the recent César Awards. They are: Animal Kingdom, Three Musketeers, and All Your Faces. Other films will include the Irish premiere of The Crime is Mine, a restored version of Orphée, and the history documentary D-Day: Normandie 1944, by Pascal Vuong, who will answer questions.