In the theaters...

Paris 36 (Faubourg 36, 2008)

A story of friendship, love and brotherhood, Paris 36 is set in a working-class district of Paris everyone simply calls The Faubourg. When a gangster landlord closes the neighborhood's beloved Chansonia music hall on New Year's Eve 1935, a group of locals get together to try to re-open it. Veteran stage manager Pigoil (Gérard Jugnot) wants to make it a success to have a job and regain custody of his accordion-playing 12-year-old son; hotheaded union activist and ladies man Milou (Clovis Cornillac) joins him, as does Jacky (Kad Merad), a former sandwich-board man for the theatre who thinks he could be a star doing his impressions. Supported by the locals who live to the rhythm of the reclusive Monsieur Radio (Pierre Richard), the three friends decide to take hold of their destiny by producing the "hit" musical the Chansonia has always needed. When beautiful young orphan Douce (Nora Arnezeder) turns up wanting to sing, prospects heat up, as she catches the eye of both the gangster and Milou. Filled with wonderful music, Paris 36 is satisfying, old-fashioned entertainment from director/co-writer Christophe Barratier (The Chorus).

Shall We Kiss (Un baiser s'il vous plaît, 2007)

While traveling to Nantes for one evening, Emilie (Julie Gayet) meets Gabriel (Michaël Cohen). Equally seduced by one another, but both otherwise committed, they know they will probably never see each other again. He would like to kiss her. She as well, but a story prevents her from doing so: that of a married woman (Virginie Ledoyen) and of her best friend (Emmanuel Mouret) who were surprised by the effects of a kiss. Of a kiss that should have born no consequences.... A sexy romantic comedy co-starring Stefano Accorsi and Frédérique Bel. (Fully subtitled)

.Both at-LANDMARK’S LA JOLLA VILLAGE CINEMAS