The Hong Kong French Film Festival (HKFFF) celebrates its 50th edition this year, making it an important event that you cannot miss. Organised by the Alliance Française de Hong Kong, the 50th edition will run from November 24 to December 14 across five cinemas in the city, boasting more than 110 screenings.
“Our selection of retrospective movies brings our cinephiles to the best of French timeless classics of the past five decades,” says Jean-Sébastien Attié, the general director of Alliance Française. This year’s edition includes award-winning and arthouse favourites such as Eiffel, Amelie and the Palme d'Or winner, Titane. But in addition to the sure favourites, the festival has so much more to offer. “Witnessing the unstoppable trend of female presence in the European movie industry, the 2021 edition of the HKFFF encompasses 10 movies directed and produced by women,” says Attié.
Not sure where to start? We asked Attié to give us his recommendations and why you can’t miss these movies.
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1. Aline, The Voice of Love by Valérie Lemercier
Set in the 1960s in Quebec, Sylvette and Anglomard welcome their 14th child, Aline. Music runs in the family so it’s not surprising that Aline has an amazing voice. When a producer discovers her, he has only one idea in mind: to make her the greatest singer in the world. With the support of her family and Guy Claude’s budding love for her, Aline is set on the path of greatness.
Jean-Sébastien Attié: “If you are inspired by Céline Dion’s fabulous and splendid story, whose life resembles a novel or even a movie, then you will definitely be amazed by Aline, The Voice of Love. Although this is neither a documentary nor a factual recount of Celine’s life story, the French artist Valérie Lemercier incarnates and interprets the legendary singer with her stunning acting skills, bringing us a blend of admiration and humour. As a French and Québec-Canadian crossover production, HKFFF proudly presents a special ‘Québec’ evening on December 3 at the City Hall.”
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