Frostburg State University will present the Tournées French Film festival, a series of five award-winning films and discussions, at several venues around campus Feb. 15 through March 8.
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall in the Lane University Center, there will be a pre-film discussion, “Thugs and Artists: The Influence of Film Noir on 'The Beat That My Heart Skipped,'” followed directly by the screening of the film, “The Beat That My Heart Skipped.” The French film “The Beat That My Heart Skipped” (2005) fits squarely into the context that American film noir has typically followed, combining high artistic style with “low” human behavior. This discussion places the film in context of other film noirs and explores the ways in which the movie examines the line between the “bad” and the “beautiful.”
Directly following the film discussion, “The Beat That My Heart Skipped” will be screened in the Manicur Assembly Hall at 7 p.m. In this reinterpretation of James Toback’s 1978 cult neo-noir film, “Fingers,” Jacques Audiard has combined equal parts Bach and rock in a groundbreaking Gallic transformation of a thoroughly American genre: gangster seeking redemption film. In “The Beat That My Heart Skipped,” 28-year-old Thomas appears to be following in his fathers’ slumlord footsteps as a real estate manager who expels squatters from low rent buildings. An unexpected encounter with the agent of Thomas’ late mother and Thomas is reintroduced to his love for music. As time progresses, Thomas is presented with the difficult decision of continuing his current path and ending up like his father or following his passion and becoming a musician. This film is rated R.
The Immigration, Multiculturalism, and the French Elections of 2007 Panel Discussion will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Compton Science Center room 226. The French nation has rapidly evolved towards multiculturalism but not without growing pains felt strongly by immigrants of various races and religions. In this panel discussion, three invited guests will speak on the issues immigrants face when integrating into French society.
The film “Look at Me” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Alice Manicur Assembly Hall. “Look at Me” paints a vibrant portrait of the Parisian social whirl, but one which doesn’t gloss over the undercurrent of backbiting that flows just beneath the glittering surface. This film is rated R.
“Little Jerusalem” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, in the Lane University Center, Atkinson room 201.The film depicts the intimate lives of two women while raising questions of religious interpretation, freedom, sexuality and family relationships. This film is not rated.
“5x2” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, in the Atkinson Room 201. “5x2” tells the story of a couple’s intense but ill-fated relationship. The film is a depiction of an emotionally charged divorce. This film is rated R.
“Mondovino” will be shown on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, in the Lane University Center room 140-141. “Mondovino” gives voice to those who create, critique, sell, and distribute wine, offering a surprisingly varied, and sometimes controversial glimpse into something many people enjoy but few people know much about. This film is rated PG-13. Immediately preceding the film, there will be a wine tasting featuring local wineries.
For more information, call the Lane University Center Information Desk at (310) 687-4411.
The Tournées French Film Festival was made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, the French Ministry of Culture (CNC), the Florence Gould Foundation, the Grand Marnier Foundation, and the Franco-American Cultural Fund. All festival events are free and open to the public.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call (301) 687-4102, TDD (301) 687-7955.
