Cassie Cakes Goes to the Alliance Française French Film Festival



The Alliance Française French Film Festival 2015!

Last Friday, my lovely friend and I attended the Alliance Française French Film Festival at Palace Centro on James street, New Farm. The French Film festival has been running for 26 years and yet somehow, this is the first time I've attended. The film festival is the largest and most successful cultural events that Alliance Française runs and was created to strengthen ties between Australia and France, as well as increase awareness of French arts and cinema.


The red carpet - that red and white polka dress is cute!

The night we attended was the opening night gala and as such, there was lots of champagne flowing, a red carpet and a wonderful after party to continue the festivities after.

The crowds start to gather.

We got there nice and early and enjoyed our glass of champagne then snagged a seat to watch the crowds assemble. And assemble they did. Pretty soon the upper and lower foyers were packed with people, with more than a few very chic, Parisian inspired outfits.


Look at all that champagne! I could do some damage here...



 Around 7pm, we made our way into one of three cinemas showing the evening movie. After we listened to a short speech about the festivals history and a little information about Alliance Française, it was time for the screening. 

The French have comically large lips, don't you know.

First, we watched the premiere of the new Peugeot ad which doesn't sound very exciting but it was because it had a very sexy French actor in it - the identity of whom I cannot find but I would like to know!
 

Ahh idyllic French life!

Then it was time for the main attraction - Gemma Bovery! The movie starred Gemma Aterton as the titular character and Fabrice Luchini as the meddling, well-intentioned village baker Martin. As Gemma's life starts to mirror that of the famous fictional Madame Bovary, Martin gets more and more entwined. It was a lovely drama-comedy and utterly enchanting. I'm planning my move to Normandy and I'm not joking.
 


A cow in a beret? Of course, the French cow. Duh.



After we attended the cocktail party and while the food was not amazing, it was an open bar so swings and roundabouts. And the staff at Palace were so helpful - and attractive.
 


The pretty tree at the cocktail party.

The Alliance Française French Film Festival is showing 49 films and documentaries, screening at Palace Barracks and Palace Centro Cinemas, as well as around the country, from 13 March - 1 April. More details are available at the Palace Cinemas website.