Compiled by Heidy Morales – Mikhail Saavedra
Spring in Toronto signals more than just above zero temperatures. It signals the full on beginning of film festival season as well. One of the very best festivals at this time of the year is Cinefranco, English Canada’s largest celebration of international Francophone cinema runs this year from Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 14, 2013. Films from Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Luxembourg, Morocco, and Switzerland will be showcased and this is our must-see list.
Our top 5 films are:
CAIRO 678 Saturday, April 6 – 2:00pm
English Canada Premiere
Fayza, Seba and Nelly: three women from different socio-economic backgrounds are revolting against sexual harassment in Egypt. Victims against perpetrators: the misogynist machos will have to pay somehow! After a few incidents in bus 678, a dubious Inspector Essam leads an investigation. He faces sincere, nervous women who are weaving their common fight with passion.
Based on real events, scriptwriter Mohamed Diab’s first feature shows the courage and commitment it takes to reveal “(…) the psychological and social trauma that Egyptian women have suffered for generations” (Simon Foster)
“Uncompromising and thought provoking, Diab creates an urgent tale out of a serious but oft ignored issue. The female leads are fearless in their performances, painting characters that women all over the world will relate to, and the climax is both inspiring and invigorating. Though rough around the edges, 678 is an audaciously bold docudrama that is eye-opening, jaw-dropping and heartbreaking” (Kristy Puchko)
BIG IS BEAUTIFUL Thursday, April 11 – 6:30pm
English Canada Theatrical Premiere
Nina works with skinny models in the bathing suit business she founded with her attractive husband Gaspard who dislikes Nina’s plumpness. In order to help her lose weight he sends her to Brides-les-Bains, a well-known spa. Nina is not happy to go but when she arrives there she meets bubbly Sophie, a lawyer from Marseille, and Emilie, a caretaker whose weight causes her problems.
Lola Dewaere (Nina), Victoria Abril (Sophie) and Catherine Hosmalin (Emilie) are right away moving and convincing and they rock! They make up “a strong-headed, unusual team who argues and makes up at a crazy pace” (Gossy Mag).
Charlotte de Turckheim’s third feature film deals with lightness and humour with the dictatorship of physical appearance weighing on society and women in particular.
Bite heartily into this delightful, affecting comedy for relaxation and self-confidence sakes!
ICH BIN EINE TERRORISTIN Sunday, April 14 – 11:00am
North American Premiere
At the tender age of 11 years and 3 months, Violette feels she is the guardian of the memory of Rosa Luxemburg, the great Marxist activist and German revolutionary. She runs away from home taking with her the ashes of her beloved communist grandmother and the book of the letters written in prison by Rosa.
ESIMESAC Friday, April 5 – 7:00pm
OPENING FILM – Toronto Theatrical Premiere
Luc Picard in attendance
Fred Pellerin, whose storytelling is so irresistibly magical, gives a picturesque account of his script.
“…it is the story of a lad, a child with a man’s body, who was born without a shadow and who is very strong and a tad naïve. In the movie, the shadow kind of stands for the ego; some people have very big shadows and others smaller ones. He does not have one at all. So as he does not have an ego, he never works for himself. He directs his efforts towards others. When the villagers are starving, Esimésac sets up a collective plan so that everyone can eat. However another project, the railway plan, based on individual profits designed to save the village, will disrupt his undertaking(…)”
Luc Picard achieves a masterful film with actors as convincing and moving as the characters they play. He gives us memorable enchanting moments in his work set between an imaginary and contemporary reality.
WELCOME TO ARGENTINA Saturday, April 13 – 4:15pm
North American Premiere
Two brothers, Antoine and Marcus, arrive in Argentina to go to their cousin’s wedding. But Antoine, the younger brother, has become depressed because of his marital problems. And Marcus strives to lighten him up…The film turns into a fun road-movie full of fresh, dynamic, crazy and also emotional experiences.
Cinéfranco 2013 Box Office information:
Tickets: $12; Students and seniors: $10; Up to 18: $8 (proof of ID required)
Festival Pass (10 tickets): $99
Walkup:
Every day from April 5-14, starting 1hour prior to the screening: The Royal, 608 College Street
For advanced sales: T.O.TIX, 1 Dundas Street East, Yonge-Dundas Square or online at www.cinefranco.com
* Surcharge on tickets purchased through T.O.TIX
For box office, ticketing, schedule and program info please go to: www.cinefranco.com
All films at Cinéfranco are screened with English subtitles
For further information see this article