With tickets now on sale nationwide for the 26th edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, which takes place March 4-14 in the FLC Virtual Cinema, weâre excited to share a few exciting festival updates.
As part of this year’s program, we invite you to join us for a pair of free live talks with the filmmakers and artists behind some of this yearâs most anticipated titlesâaccessible to attendees from around the globe. Free registration is now open and required for all talks. Film at Lincoln Center Talks are presented by HBO. In addition to these free live conversations, all screenings in this year’s lineup will include recorded filmmaker Q&As.
We’ve also unveiled the festival trailer, which previews the variety and vitality of contemporary French filmmaking that is on display. If you’re looking for festival recommendations, the programming team behind this year’s festival has also gathered for an in-depth preview event exploring the lineup.
Update: Our Member Film Club will take place on Thursday, March 11 at 6pm ET, discussing the 2021 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema selection Love Affair(s)! Learn more here. Not a member? Become one today for an exclusive invite and 20% off all rentals!
Trailer
Get a glimpse at the exciting lineup of this year’s festival, available nationwide for the first time!
Preview Event
Film at Lincoln Center programmers Florence Almozini and Maddie Whittle were joined by Unifrance Managing Director Daniela Elstner and Unifrance U.S. representative Adeline Monzier to discuss the lineup at the 2021 edition.
Free Live Talks
Free Talk: Vive la RĂ©sistance
Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 2PM ET
Just as France and America both have long histories of political, social, and economic progress emerging out of grassroots activism, French and American cinema likewise share a tradition of celebrating stories in which individuals and disempowered communities take a stand against corruption, inequality, and systemic abuses of power. This talk brings together French and American filmmakers whose recent work has engaged deeply with these topics to discuss their creative choices and challenges. Panelists include Farid Bentoumi (Red Soil), Kitty Green (The Assistant), Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men, Joe Bell), and Fanny Liatard & Jérémy Trouilh (Gagarine). Moderated by Maddie Whittle.
Free Talk: How Music Makes the Film
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 1pm ET
Still from Summer of ’85
Creating an original score is a complex, collaborative, and sometimes intense exchange between a director and a composer that can elevate the film to a whole new level. It involves many crucial decisions: At what point in the filmmaking process should a composer be brought in? How can a director effectively communicate with their composer to achieve the desired vision? In this discussion, French and American experts will provide insights into the creative process of scoring films and the relationship between the director, composer, and the music team. Panelists include JB Dunckel (Summer of 85), Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch (Censor), Evgueni & Sacha Galperine (Gagarine), Aska Matsumiya (Skate Kitchen, Betty), Nicolas Weil & Sylvain Ohrel of Low Entertainment (Slalom). Moderated by Shruti Kumar.
This Rendez-Vous with French Cinema Talk is organized in partnership with French In Motion, SACEM, and The Gotham Film and Media Institute.
Special Conversation
In Discussion with Emmanuelle BĂ©art
Available beginning March 4 at noon ET
We are thrilled to have Emmanuelle BĂ©art as our official Guest of Honor for the 26th edition. Emmanuelleâs career as an actress and activist highlights what French cinema represents for American audiences today: a leading voice and vision on world issues and our collective consciousness. Join BĂ©artââwho stars in Ludovic Bergeryâs Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2021 selection Margaux Hartmannââfor an extended opening conversation with Columbia University Professor Richard Peña about her career, recent French cinema, and this yearâs Rendez-Vous lineup.
