French Cinema Now (November 7-10)

Presented by the San Francisco Film Society, the sixth annual French Cinema Now will take place November 7-10 at Landmark's Clay Theatre. New works from notable filmmakers Claire Denis, Nicolas Philibert and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi will be celebrated, as well as those from emerging talents Sébastien Betbeder and Axelle Ropert.

A Castle in Italy (Un Château en Italie) — Director, actress and writer Valeria Bruni Tedeschi returns with a realistic look at the lives and crises of the European bourgeoisie. Louise (Bruni Tedeschi), an actress longing for parenthood, engages in a new affair with Nathan (Louis Garrel), a much younger actor. As she deals with her new relationship, she's pulled into the financial drama from her wealthy Italian family. An excellent supporting cast and nuanced writing make this a compelling dramatic feature to consider. 

Louis Garrel and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in "A Castle in Italy." Image courtesy of SF Film Society.

2 Autumns, 3 Winters (2 Automnes 3 Hivers) — With an indie charm of a Wes Anderson film, "2 Autumns, 3 Winters" (Opening Night film) traces the lives of thirty-somethings Arman and Benjamin. Quirky and offbeat, the two close friends navigate new romances and their subsequent complications, as well as facing the vagaries of modern French life.

Sébastien Betbeder's "2 Autumns, 3 Winters."

Miss and the Doctors (Tirez La Langue, Mademoiselle) — While attending to a young diabetic patient, sibling doctors Boris and Dimitri meet Judith, her attractive mother, and a love triangle ensues. Set in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the film deftly addresses family devotion and the fragility of the human heart with humor and grace. 

Louise Bourgoin in Axelle Ropert's "Miss and the Doctors."

Rendezvous in Kiruna (Rendez-vous à Kiruna) — A Parisian architect is suddenly called to northern Sweden to identify the body of a son he's never known. He picks up a young Swedish hitchhiker along the way and as they pass through the idyllic Scandinavian countryside both driver and passenger confront each man's respective truth on familial ties, loneliness and forgiveness. A quiet, finely-crafted story from Franco-Swedish director Anne Novion, this one is worth a look. 

Anastasios Soulis and Jean-Pierre Darroussin in "Rendezvous in Kiruna."

For more info and to purchase tickets: www.sffs.org.

Comments

[Carolyn Jung]

''Miss and the Doctors'' does sound intriguing. Plus, I can't help but love that gorgeous red coat the actress is wearing, too. ;)

[Tami]

It takes place in Paris' Chinatown district. :) Oh I know - I've been admiring that coat throughout the entire film!