French Film Festival

It couldn’t come at a better time. The Build Up might be underway but, although the Deckchair Cinema is closed, there’s still a chance to get your fill of foreign cinema when the French Film Festival arrives at the Darwin Entertainment Centre (DEC).

With an enormous movie screen and a new projector at its disposable, the Centre has chosen a choice selection of cinéma français for film lovers to see out the end of November. 

Starting the mini-festival is Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End of the World, the 2016 Cannes Grand Prix-winning drama about a man returning to his family after 12 years, only to tell them he is dying. 

The Odyssey, a biopic of the ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, looks visually impressive, while Mercenary, a thriller about a young man from New Caledonia now living in France to play rugby, has received exciting reviews.

“For me it’s the diversity of what’s on offer that makes French film so special, and it’s so accessible, even for those who don’t speak the language,” says DEC projects coordinator Amy Bewick.

“We’ve tried to program something for everyone – from great comedy in Penny Pincher to the visually stunning The Odyssey. I urge everyone to come and experience at least one title, I would honestly watch all of them…and I intend to!”

The five films on offer were carefully selected from about 30 previews, watched by the Centre’s film buffs, with input from the Honorary Consulate of France, Zoe Marcham.

“There really are some incredible films screening as part of the festival, as well as so many amazing titles that didn’t quite make the cut that I wish we could have brought to Darwin,” says Bewick.

Sat 25 – Sun 26 Nov | Various times | Darwin Entertainment Centre