San Diego French Film Festival | Alliance Francaise De San Diego

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4th edition - June 2 to 5, 2024

The San Diego French Film Festival, hosted by the Alliance Française San Diego, returned for its fourth edition from June 2nd to June 5th. The festival featured a selection of award-winning short and feature films, covering history, adventure, biopics, and environmental documentaries. It opened with a red-carpet event and a screening of *The Three Musketeers: Milady* (2023), preceded by the short film *Au Revoir Belmondo* (2023), followed by a soirée with industry guests. The festival also showcased environmental documentaries such as *Humanatee* (2023) and *Oceans* (2009). On June 4th, the short film *Monochrome* (2023) and the feature film *Omar la Fraise* (2023) were presented. The festival concluded with *Riad* (2023) and *Marinette* (2023), followed by a casual gathering. It provided an opportunity for San Diego's francophone community to celebrate French culture, language, and cinema.

video by Elise Tate

See Program

AU REVOIR BELMONDO (short)
LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES: MILADY (feature film)

JUNE 2ND: Opening Ceremony - The LOT La Jolla
7611 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Gala tickets: Red Carpet, Movies, Gala reception, and party with DJ GRGTRAXX
Movie lovers' tickets to attend the movies only

Festival Days - Reading Cinemas Town Square
4665 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

June 3rd: HUMANATEE (short) - OCEANS (feature film)

See Program

June 4th: MONOCHROME (short) - OMAR LA FRAISE (feature film)

See Program

June 5th: RIAD (short) - MARINETTE (feature film)

June 2: Opening Ceremony

5 PM

AU REVOIR BELMONDO (short film)
LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES: MILADY (feature film)

7.15 PM: DINNER RECEPTION

9 PM: PARTY WITH DJ GRGTRAXX

LOCATION: THE LOT La Jolla

7611 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

AU REVOIR BELMONDO (2023) Directed by Lisa Kohn

13 min - Starring Baptiste Carrion Weiss, Vinora Epp (All public)

Synopsis

When Julien, a young, shy Frenchman meets Patricia, a lonely, American exchange student, only one thing stands in their way … his strange obsession with Jean-Paul Belmondo.

A lovely tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo which cinephiles will particularly enjoy for its references to the career of this major actor.

See trailer

LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES: MILADY (2023) directed by Martin Bourboulon

115 min - Starring Eva Green, François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmaï, Louis Garrel - Rated PG 13

Awards and selections: six nominations at the 2024 César Awards, winning one for Best Production Design, two nominations at the Genie Awards.

Synopsis

From the Louvre to Buckingham Palace, to the gutters of Paris to the siege of La Rochelle… In a kingdom divided by religious wars and under threat of British invasion, a handful of men and women will battle and tie their fate to that of France.

Milady is the second film of a two-part epic saga and was preceded by The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan.

Guests of the Opening Ceremony will enter a lottery to win:

A beautiful stay for 2 at Club Med offered by our sponsor Travelbootik*

Club Med 7-night land-only vacation at one of this clubs

Club Med Cancun Yucatan / Mexico Club Med Punta Cana / Dominican Republic Club Med Ixtapa Pacific / Mexico Club Med La Caravelle / Guadeloupe

Estimated value: $4000

* Offer for a travel between July 1, 2024 – July 1, 2025. Full details will be provided to the winner by Travelbootik

How to enter the sweepstake? Guests who purchase a gala ticket for the Opening Ceremony at full price are automatically entered in the sweepstake. By completing a participation form available on demand at the AFSD until May 31st at 5 pm.

A VIP session at Jonathan Le Salon including a consultation by Jonathan, a Premium Style Haircut, Deep Hair Conditioner Treatment, Relaxing Head Massage With Hot Towel and coffee. Estimated value: $250

* Full details will be provided to the winner by Jonathan Le Salon

How to enter the sweepstake? Guests who purchase a gala ticket for the Opening Ceremony at full price are automatically entered in the sweepstake. By completing a participation form available on demand at the AFSD until May 31st at 5 pm.

June 3

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See Next Day

Flyer Ocean Night (1200 x 400 px) (7).png

6:30 PM

HUMANATEE (short film)
OCEANS (feature film)

Movies are for all public

8:20 PM: PANEL DISCUSSION (read more)

LOCATION: Reading Cinemas Town Square

4665 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

HUMANATEE (2023) by Planet Froth Productions

6 min - starring Damien Leloup

Awards and selections: Audience Award for "Best Documentary Short"Coronado Island Film Festival ,United Nations - World Oceans Week 2023, Climate Film Festival, Topanga Film Festival, and Residence of France Los Angeles

Synopsis

Humanatee follows the French and San Diego based underwater archaeologist and explorer Damien Leloup's journey to form an unlikely bond with these gentle giants, and examines the larger implications of humanity's relationship with species extinction.

Rated: all public

See trailer

OCEANS (2009) directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzeau

104 min - narrated by Jacques Perrin

Awards and selections: Cesar 2011 Award (Best Documentary Film) and 2 nominations (Best Sound and Best Music Written for a Film), Environmental Media Awards, USA 2011 - Nominee Best documentary, IFMCA 2011 Award: Best Original Score for a Documentary Film, IFMCA 2011 Award: Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

Synopsis

An ecological drama/documentary, filmed throughout the globe. Part thriller, part meditation on the vanishing wonders of the sub-aquatic world.

Rated: all public

See trailer

June 4

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6:30 PM

MONOCHROME (short film)
OMAR LA FRAISE (feature film)

Rated R: Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

LOCATION: Reading Cinemas Town Square

4665 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

MONOCHROME (2023)

directed by Cédric Prévost

14 min starring Paul Fougère, Alexia Giordano, Manda Touré

Awards and selections: Thess International Shorts Festival 2023, Festival du Film Fantastique Menton 2023 – Prix meilleur scénario, Festival du film court de Villeurbanne 2023, Tangier Film Festival 2023, Maniatic Fantastic Film Festival 2023 – Prix de la meilleure actrice pour Manda Touré, Ouaga Côté Court 2023, C’est pas la taille qui compte 2023

Synopsis

After months of a long-distance relationship via a dating site, Thomas asks Marie, who lives on the other side of the country, to finally meet in person. But before that, she will make a shocking revelation for the young man.

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OMAR LA FRAISE - THE KING OF ALGIERS (2023)

directed by Élias Belkeddar

100 min starring Reda Kateb, Benoit Magimel, Meriem Amiar

Awards and selections: Nominated Camera d'Or Festival de Cannes 2023, Hong Kong French Film Festival, Helvetia French Film Festival, Montréal Festival du Nouveau Cinéma

Synopsis

Omar, a gangster on the run in Algiers, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the French authorities. His only way around this is to stay in Algeria and lay low for the rest of his life with his partner in crime, Roger. Reluctantly abandoning his criminal activities and his life in France, Omar takes a job in a pastry factory where he meets the tough yet dazzling Samia. Alongside Roger and Samia, Omar tries to get used to normal life, but he and Roger cling to their old habits of clubs, drugs and violence. Meeting a group of exuberant young thugs, they partner up and enjoy themselves in the underbelly of Algiers' infamous neighbourhoods including ram fights and clandestine camel races. But trouble is always around the corner and Omar must fight to redeem himself and protect his loved ones.

Rated R: Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

A VIP session at Jonathan Le Salon including a consultation by Jonathan, a Premium Style Haircut, Deep Hair Conditioner Treatment, Relaxing Head Massage With Hot Towel and coffee.

Estimated value: $250

* Full details will be provided to the winner by Jonathan Le Salon

How to enter the sweepstake? Guests who purchase a ticket for the June 4th at full price are automatically entered in the sweepstake. By completing a participation form available on demand at the AFSD until May 31st at 5 pm.

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June 5

6:30 PM

RIAD (short film)
MARINETTE (feature film)

Rated PG-13: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

8:30 PM: CLOSING PARTY

LOCATION: Reading Cinemas Town Square

4665 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

RIAD (2023) directed by Yann Verburgh

15 min starring Calire Puygrenier, Talid Ariss, Jalal Altawil

Awards and selections (highlights): Cleveland International Film Festival, Festival à l’Est – France – Mention Spéciale du Jury, Festival du Cinéma arabe – Belgium –Prix de la réalisation, Aegean Short Film Festival – Greece – Special Mention, Taoba International Youth Film Festival – Georgia, Open festival Marseille – Meilleur acteur pour Jalal & Prix du Jury, Magma – Mostra di Cinema Breve -Italie

Synopsis

RIAD, a former legionnaire suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder that destroyed his family, gets back to his son MEHDI after months of separation, in a social centerfor family meetings.

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MARINETTE (2023) directed by Virginie Verrier

96 min starring Garance Marillier, Émilie Dequenne, Sylvie Testud

Awards and selections: Nominated Tribeca Film Festival 2023, Selection Young French Cinema 2024, Vilnius Film Festival 2024, Singapore French Film Festival 2023, The American French Film Festival 2023, Hof International Film Festival, Lisbon - French Film Festival

Synopsis

Marinette Pichon is one of the world’s greatest stars of soccer, having held for almost two decades the record for the number of goals and caps for the French team (men/women combined), before becoming a FIFA Legend by being the first French player to have a career in the US. Pioneer of French women’s soccer, the film follows her fight to spread awareness on women’s rights in sport. A path full of pitfalls, from a childhood ravaged by an alcoholic and violent father to the heavy burden of coming out in an era where there is no such thing as LGBTQ+ rights. Her success in sport will fuel her desire to make a difference in the recognition of French women’s soccer, homosexuality, and equal opportunity. It is the story of a woman’s life, a fighter, an uncompromising ode to freedom, to surpassing oneself.

Rated PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

A VIP session at Jonathan Le Salon including a consultation by Jonathan, a Premium Style Haircut, Deep Hair Conditioner Treatment, Relaxing Head Massage With Hot Towel and coffee.

Estimated value: $250

* Full details will be provided to the winner by Jonathan Le Salon

How to enter the sweepstake? Guests who purchase a ticket for June 5th at full price are automatically entered in the sweepstake. By completing a participation form available on demand at the AFSD until May 31st at 5 pm.