Anna M
Directed by Michel Spinosa
France - 2007 - 106 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Isabelle Carré, Gilbert Melki, Anne Consigny

Synopsis
In the grips of delirious illusion, Anna, a gentle and shy young woman convinces herself that Doctor Zanevsky is in love with her. Nothing can shake her certainty… But hope is followed by disappointment, and then hatred…
Festival selections
2007, International Film Festival of Berlin
International Sales: Films Distribution
Screenings
E Street Cinema: Wed. Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Meet director Michel Spinosa
Avalon Theatre: Wed. Oct. 31 at 6:15 p.m.

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Bad Faith / Mauvaise foi
Directed by Roschdy Zem
France - 2006 - 88 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Cécile de France, Roschdy Zem, Pascal Elbé
Co-presented by the Washington DC
Jewish Film Festival

Synopsis
“A Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner?” for the 21st century. This is a romantic comedy about faith, love and the difficulties combining the two. When Jewish Clara discovers that she is pregnant with her Muslim boyfriend’s baby, they realize that they are going to have do the unthinkable: meet each other’s families.
Festival selections
2007, Los Angeles, City of Lights
2007, Athens, French Film Festival
Awards
2007, Etoile d’Or, Best actress Cécile de France
Distributor: Seventh Art Releasing
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Sat. Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m.

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Caramel (sold out)
Directed by Nadine Labaki
France / Lebanon - 2007- 95 min
In French / Arabian with English subtitles
Cast: Nadine Labaki,
Ismail Antar, Yasmine Elmasri
Co-presented with Arabian Sights

Synopsis
In Beirut, five women meet regularly in a beauty salon, a colorful and sensual microcosm of the city where several generations come into contact, talk and confide in each other. Layale loves Rabih, but Rabih is married. Nisrine is Muslim and her forthcoming marriage poses a problem: she is no longer a virgin. Rima is tormented by her attraction to women and especially to this lovely client with long hair. Jamale is refusing to grow old. Rose has sacrificed her life to take care of her elderly sister. In the salon, their intimate and liberated conversations revolve around men, sex and motherhood, between haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel.
Distributor: Roadside Attraction
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Fri. Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

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Crossed Tracks / Roman de gare
Directed by Claude Lelouch
France - 2007 - 110 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Domique Pinon, Fanny Ardant,
Audrey Dana

Synopsis
Julie Ralitzer, femme fatale and popular writer, is seeking characters for her next best seller. A serial killer has just escaped from a high-security prison! Huguette, a hairdresser in top Paris salon, is going to change their destiny. Some meetings are more fatal than others...
Festival selections
2007, Cannes Film Festival
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Sat. Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Meet director Claude Lelouch
& actress Audrey Dana

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Fragments of Antonin /
Les Fragments d’Antonin
Directed by Gabriel Le Bomin
France - 2006 - 90 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Grégori Dérangère, Anouk Grinberg, Aurélien Recoing, Niels Arestrup

Synopsis
Five names endlessly repeated. Five obsessive gestures. Five moments of war. Antonin has returned from the fighting without any visible signs of injury. But his wounds are of an intimate, internal nature, deeply buried. It’s 1919 and Professor Labrousse, a pioneer at treating soldiers suffering traumatic shock, develops a passionate interest in Antonin’s case. His new, controversial method involves making the patient relive the most intense moments of the war in order to free himself from them.
Festival selections
2006, Montreal, World Film Festival
International Sales: Dragoonie Films
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Sun. Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Meet director Gabriel Le Bomin
& actor Grégori Dérangère

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In Your Wake / Nos Retrouvailles
Directed by David Oelhoffen
France - 2007- 99 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Jacques Gamblin, Nicolas Giraud,
Jacques Spiesser

Synopsis
An estranged father returns with plans to open a bar with the son who still harbors resentment towards him.
International Sales: Pyramide International
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Tue. Oct. 30 at 8:30 p.m.
Meet director David Oelhoffen
& actor Nicolas Giraud

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Lagerfeld Confidential
Directed by Rodolphe Marconi
France - 2007 - 88 min
In French with English subtitles

Synopsis
Through the camera of Rodolphe Marconi, Karl Lagerfeld reveals himself in the most confidential way. Provocative and glamorous, this documentary exposes Karl Lagereld as the last great icon of fashion.
Festival selections
2007, International Film Festival of Berlin
Distributor: Koch Lorber Films
Screenings:
Avalon Theatre: Sun. Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.
Meet director Rodolphe Marconi

Avalon Theatre: Thu. Nov. 1 at 6:15 p.m.

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Love Songs / Les chansons d’amour
Directed by Christophe Honoré
France - 2007 - 100 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Louis Garel, Ludivine Sagnier,
Chiara Mastroiani, Clotilde Hesme

Synopsis
A musical transcending societal norms for relationships, love, and sexuality, “Love Songs“ chronicles the lives of Ismael and Julie, two young lovers looking to spice things up. They invite Ismael’s co-worker Alice to join their life and their bed, but before long, Julie dies from an embolism, leaving Ismael shocked and torn.
Festival selections
2007, Cannes Film festival
Distributor: IFC Films
Screenings
AMC Georgetown 14 Theatre:
Tue. Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

Avalon Theatre: Sun. Oct. 28 at 3:15 p.m.

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Made in Jamaica

Directed by Jérôme Laperrousaz
France - 2006 - 110 min
In English (Jamaica)

Synopsis
“Made in Jamaica” is a powerful portrait of the leaders of the reggae music movement, and how reggae has become a worldwide phenomenon. The film showcases performances by the best reggae and Dance Hall artists ever assembled. From their native ghetto to international fame, ”Made in Jamaica” is the story of the artists who represent the Jamaican Dream. «Made in Jamaica is a true masterpiece... This film is the ultimate reference about reggae. A pure gem.»
Wim Wenders
Festival selections
2006, Toronto, International Film Festival
Distributor: Cinemavault Releasing International
Screening
E Street Cinema: Thu. Oct. 25 at 9 p.m.

- Tickets will be on sale at the box office 30 minutes before the show.

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My Son / Mon fils à moi
Directed by Martial Fougeron
France - 2007 - 80 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Nathalie Baye, Victor Sevaux, Olivier Gourmet

Synopsis
Julien is an adorable boy on the cusp of adolescence, but he is also a prisoner of love. His mother, neglected by her academic husband, adores him excessively and controls his every move, often through cruel psychological bullying. Miserable, he tries to break free, finding and then losing a girlfriend, turning to his grandmother and sister, calling the police, threatening suicide. But there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love.
Festival selections
2006, San Sebastian, International Film Festival
Awards
2006, Golden Seashell, San Sebastian, International Film Festival
2006, Silver Seashell, San Sebastian, International Film Festival
International Sales: Celluloid dreams
Screenings
E Street Cinema: Thu. Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
Avalon Theatre: Tue. Oct. 30 at 6:15 p.m.

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Premonition / Le Pressentiment
Directed by Jean-Pierre Darroussin
France - 2006 - 100 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Valérie Stroh

Synopsis
Charles Bénesteau breaks away from upper class society to which he belongs. He leaves his wife, family, and friends to live anonymously and alone in a working-class neighborhood of Paris. Here, his desire to be another man, to extricate himself from history, and to withdraw so as to become the person he’s dreamed of being clashes with new adventures.
Festival selections
2007, Buenos Aires,
International Independent Film Festival
Awards
2007, French syndicate of cinema critic, Best First Film
2006, Prix Louis Delluc, Best First Film
International Sales: Bac Films
Screenings
Avalon Theatre: Sun. Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
Avalon Theatre: Mon. Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m.

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Priceless / Hors de prix
Directed by Pierre Salvadori
France - 2006 - 110 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast : Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh,
Marie Christine Adam

Synopsis
Jean, a timid waiter at a luxury hotel, tries to pass for a billionaire to impress Irene, a glamorous gold digger. When she discovers who he really is, she flees at once. But Jean is in love, and manages to find her on the Riviera. Quickly ruined, he ends up adopting her way of life, and settles like a man of company in a splendid hotel. His new status brings him closer to Irene...
Festival selections
2007, Los Angeles, City of Lights
2007, Athens, French Film Festival
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Screening
Avalon Theatre: Thu. Nov. 1 at 8:30 p.m.

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Stolen Holidays / Les petites vacances
Directed by Olivier Peyon
France - 2007 - 90 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Bernadette Lafont, Claude Brasseur,
Adèle Csech

Synopsis
Danielle, exemplary granny for whom the life seems to run out without the least problem, will rock quickly in an existential crisis. The opposition of its grand-daughter Navy, pre-teenager, will push Danielle in her last cuttings off through an alpine road movie.
Festival selections
2006, London Film Festival
2006, Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival
International Sales: Wide Management
Screenings
Avalon Theatre: Sat. Oct. 27 at 3 p.m.
Meet director Olivier Peyon, scriptwriter Cyril Brody & actress Bernadette Lafont

Avalon Theatre: Mon. Oct. 29 at 6:15 p.m.

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Very Well, Thank You / Très bien merci
Directed by Emmanuelle Cuau
France - 2007 - 110 min
In French with English subtitles
Cast: Gilbert Melki,
Sandrine Kiberlain, Olivier Crueveiller

Synopsis
Alex and his wife Beatrice live a peaceful life. When Alex runs into the police while they are arresting a young man, and gets arrested only because of his curiosity, his life begins to fall in pieces. He ends up jobless and in a psychiatric clinic... But the crazy ones are not the ones we would suspect.
International Sales: Gémini Films
Screenings
Avalon Theatre: Fri. Oct. 26 at 9 p.m.
Meet director Emmanuelle Cuau

National Gallery of Art (East Building Auditorium):
Sun. Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Meet director Emmanuelle Cuau

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SHORT FILMS AT NGA

Sunday, October 21st at
4:00 p.m. at the East Building Auditorium of the National Gallery of Art.
www.nga.gov

Deweneti
Directed by Dyana Gaye
France / Sénégal - 2006 - 15 min
Ousmane, 7 years old, is already earning his keep by begging in the center of the capital. He decides to write to Santa Claus.

Ming Of Gold / Ming d’or
Directed by Jennifère Dévoldère
France - 2006 - 14 min
For the first time, 16-year-old Ming is in love. And nothing will prevent her from loving Paul.

The Shutters / Les volets
Directed by Lyèce Boukhitine
France - 2005 - 12 min
A house’s shutters are closed. Jeanne must get them opened.

Be Quiet
Directed by Sameh Zoabi
France - 2005 - 19 min
On their journey home, a Palestinian boy and his father are beset by the tensions of reality.

Even If She Had Been A Criminal... / Eût-elle été criminelle...
Directed by Jean Gabriel Périot
France - 2006 - 9min
Montage of archival footage about French women who “collaborated” with the German soldiers and were publicly chastised and humiliated.

The Danse Lesson
Directed by Philippe Prouff
France - 2006 - 5 min
This film is dedicated to all those who want to impress with a revolutionary apprenticeship of various dance movements.

Good Night Malik /
Bonne nuit Malik
Directed by Bruno Danan
France - 2006 - 15 min
Malik and Bilal, his younger brother are both preoccupied with their work.

Premier voyage /First Trip
Directed by Grégoire Sivan
France - 2007 - 10 min
Chloé begins her 294th day on earth. Her father begins his 10,935th. But today they’ll have their first tête-à-tête talk.

Goodbye Mister Chu /
Bonsoir monsieur Chu
Directed by Stéphanie Lansague, Francois Leroy
France - 2005 - 15 min
The adventures of Hai and Duong Lê through the streets of Saigon.

Waiting for Yesterday / Demain la veille
Directed by Julien Lecat - Sylvain Pioutaz
France - 2006 - 16 min
Bob is a thirty-ish guy who lives in a world where everything moves in reverse: Death is birth, people grow young, knowledge is erased from your mind as the clock ticks backward.
Meet the Artists directors
Julien Lecat and Sylvain Pioutaz

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C’est Chic New Films from France
honors short films.
Discover the new talents in a bright young selection of short films extending from fiction to animation.
This program is subject to change.

Je t’aime / I Love You
Directed by Bertrand Touchard
France - 2007 - 3 min
I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U...
Tue. Oct. 23:
AMC Georgetown 14 Theatre
Before Love Songs 7:00 p.m.

Distance
Directed by Clément Oberto
France - 2006 - 5 min
Distance deals with the feeling of loneliness when we can’t come to terms with the loss of the loved one.
Thu. Oct. 25: E Street Cinema

Meet the Artist
director Clément Oberto,
Before My Son 7:00 p.m.

For intérieur
Directed by Patrick Poubel
France - 2005 - 10 min
Criquet is a little boy whose grandfather is a souvenir collector. The grandfather wants to fly away and he succeeds, leaving to his grandson a beautiful souvenir.
Sat. Oct. 27 Avalon Theatre
Before Bad Faith 8:30 p.m.

Apnée
Directed by Claude Chabot
France - 2006 - 4 min
A photographer tries to capture an embarrassing moment in the life of someone in the public eye. He doesn’t realize that time is working against him.
Sun. Oct. 28: Avalon Theatre
Before Premonition 1:00 p.m.

Le Loup Blanc /
The White Wolf
Directed by Pierre-Luc Granjon
France - 2006 - 8 min
A child manages to tame a huge white wolf, to ride on it. He and his brother are delighted. But to feed their familly, their father brings home one day, an animal bigger than usual...a white wolf.
Mon. Oct. 29: Avalon Theatre
Before Stolen Holidays 6:15 p.m.

J’attendrai le suivant
Directed by Philippe Orreindy
France - 2003- 4 min 50
The subway in Lyon at 6.36 p.m.. “Please excuse me for bothering you, ladies and gentlemen.
Have no fear, I’m not going to ask you for money. Let me introduce myself, I’m Antoine, I’m thirty-two. I read in a magazine that there are almost 5 million single women in France. Where are they?”
Wed. Oct. 31: Avalon Theatre
Before Anna.M 6:15 p.m.

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