A delightful French domestic dramedy

MANILA, Philippines - Cinema has always been one of the most potent ways cultures share experiences, values and commonalities. And if there’s one nation that has consistently championed Philippine cinema, and has been at the forefront of discovering what we like to consider the ongoing new “Golden Age” that’s spearheaded by our indie film movement, that would be France.

This was evident during the opening ceremonies of the French Film Festival held at Greenbelt 1. Keynote speeches were provided by French Amb. Gilles Garachon, Martin Macalintal of Alliance Francaise and Briccio Santos of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Present during the event were Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre and Sid Lucero with director Adolf Alix Jr., who were all recently at Cannes where their film had exhibited, and where Lav Diaz’s Norte had garnered rave notices.

A stunning selection of some five current French films was screened until last Sunday, June 9. These included those recently released in the US, Rust and Bone (De rouille et d’Os), which stars the luminous Marion Cotillard as a marine biologist who suffers a terrible accident and has given up on life. During the opening, we were treated to the delightful domestic dramedy What’s In A Name (Le Prenom), which stars Patrick Bruel, Valerie Benguigui and Francoise Fabian, directed by Alexandre de la Patelliere. The whole film transpires over the course of a dinner held at the home of a teaching couple, the husband a professor and the wife a public school teacher. A professional trombone player is their best friend, and fireworks ensue when the upwardly mobile brother of the couple’s wife drops by and announces what he and his girlfriend are naming their impending firstborn. The girlfriend also arrives in the course of the film, which mines the milieu of 40-somethings; dissecting their values, nostalgia, yearnings, insecurities and foibles with biting wit and sly laughter.

The structure of the film’s introduction is charming in itself, turning into a humorous history lesson. And what’s beautiful to watch is the dynamics of the superb ensemble cast, where all the actors are given their opportunity to shine and leave lasting impressions on the audience. The dialogue shoots out sparks, and the director has us shifting allegiances, as the characters unravel at a dizzying speed. Subtitled, this is one film where concentration is required and rewarded. It demonstrates how a domestic dramedy can elevate without resorting to violence or depraved hidden secrets. Riding on charm, wit and very real situations, this is one film all true film aficionados will relish.

Just as the French have extolled the virtues of Philippine Cinema, the festival is a wonderful opportunity for us to reciprocate and appreciate French films â€” films that normally would not find a chance to be exhibited in our local theaters.