French film festival offers a look at another culture

by Brandon Athey
Features Editor

Have you been getting tired of the ordinary, cookie-cutter product that Hollywood has been putting out lately? Craving cinematic filet mignon instead of a steady diet of cinematic Big Macs? Remedy this problem by coming to the French film festival, which is currently being held on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the Dahl Auditorium.

The theme of the French Festival, according to an MC press release, is “War and Exploration in Recent French Cinema.” The festival is being sponsored, according to an MC press release, by “the department of modern foreign languages, the French Club and the Public Affairs Committee.” Heading the event is Heather Brady, assistant professor of foreign languages. The festival is made possible by grants that Brady received from the French-American cultural exchange, including the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture. These grants are based on a desire to show MC “as part of an international community,” said Brady.

Brady’s desire with the festival was to share Francophone culture and give MC students “an idea of contemporary issues, art in France. To show the French are experimental, avant-garde in film. We can learn a lot from them,” said Brady.

Brady’s personal favorite film being shown in the festival is “Monsieur Ibrahim,” which will be shown Feb. 16, followed by the final film in the festival, “Amen.”

Asked whether she wishes to continue the festival, Brady replied, “The French club is fundraising to supplement scholarships and to continue the festival next year.”

Some attendees are required by professors to see the films, including Brady, who is having her French students see at least two of the films presented in the festival. Others, like Professor Capener, according to Brady, are happy to use the films to broaden students’ appreciation of French culture to coincide with their trip to Paris.

The films offer “something for everyone-World War II, family, immigration, racial issues,” said Brady. “The films have topicality because of the riots that occurred in Paris during October.” Brady also feels the films are a way of “looking at another culture.”

Brady finds that the MC festival is “comparable to the Macomb Film Festival, but this one brings the French film-going experience a little closer to home.”

Reaction to the festival so far has been strongly positive. Not only are MC students showing up to the films, but people from the area are coming to experience French culture. “The first film attracted a large group of people from outside the college campus, which was nice,” said Brady.

Whether you are a movie fan or just wanting to experience a new culture, the French Film Festival is an educational and fun way to spend your Thursday evenings. As stated before, the films are shown at 7 p.m. in the Dahl Auditorium. Hope to see you there, movie fans!