French films for Ramadhan in Surabaya
French films for Ramadhan in Surabaya
The French Cultural Center (CCCL) in Surabaya is holding a French
cinema program, Cine Ramadhan, from Mondays through Fridays
during Ramadhan through Oct. 31, with short movies from
Independent Films of Surabaya (Infis) accompanying the
screenings.
Director of CCCL-Surabaya Herve Mascarau said the Ramadhan
French film event in the East Java capital would be the first
time it had been held.
In other countries with Muslim majorities like Morocco,
however, such shows were already an established part of the
agenda.
"The event aims to introduce French culture to these nations
while fostering art and cultural appreciation among local
communities," Herve, who was director of the French Cultural
Center in Fes, Morocco from 1983 to 1985 and once secretary-
general of the Cultural, Scientific and Cooperation Service in
Rabat, Morocco, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
The French films start at 8:30 p.m. in the back garden of
CCCL-Surabaya on Jl. Darmokali, Surabaya, after the screening at
8:15 p.m. of Surabaya students' independent films by Infis, with
which the French cultural center cooperates.
The Ramadhan movies are high-quality French productions. Some
are works from what are known as maghreban countries (Tunisia and
Morocco), and Tunisian-born French director Abdellatif Kechiche's
L'Esquive. The film won several Cisar awards in France, including
the best picture and best director in February 2005.
The other famous director is Claude Berri, presenting his
drama, Jean de Florette. Produced in 1986, the 120-minute movie
portrays the life of Jean de Florette in a small village in Haute
Provence. The casts includes French artists Yves Montand, Gerard
Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil.
Claude Berri's other film, Manon des Sources, with Yves
Montand, Daniel Auteuil and Emmanuelle Biart, depicts the love
story of Manon, who lives in the Baptisine cave with Ugolin, a
pretty girl. But Ugolin is accused of killing Manon's father,
Jean de Florette.
French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10, tel. (031) 5615246,
5678639, www.ccclsurabaya.com e-mail: budaya@ccclsurabaya.com