If it’s one thing the French know how to do, it’s live life to the fullest. This passion for life is being paraded in the capital this month as the newly rebranded Le French Festival touches down for its 15th year, bringing with it a mélange of performances, arts and culture from 12 May to 18 June.
This celebration of French culture is organised by the Alliance Française and the Embassy of France in Malaysia and will see events taking place not only in Kuala Lumpur, but for the first time also in Penang and Johor Bahru.
Formerly known as the French Art & Film Festival, last year’s event attracted some 9,200 spectators and this number is expected to swell considerably this year. The highly anticipated Film Festival alone is a big draw, featuring a top notch line up of French movies screened at Golden Screen Cinemas across KL. Le Petit Prince, Wolf Totem and The Three Of Us all appear on the bill this year, alongside plenty more dramas, comedies and animated films.
If you have a deeper interest in cinema, be sure to catch an exclusive workshop with acclaimed actor and singer Raphaël Haroche. He’ll be sharing his experiences on making Revox, which he wrote, directed, starred in and composed the sound track for along with wife and fellow award-winning actress Melanie Thierry.
On the performing arts front, the Par Terre Company take to the stage to present the forward thinking Autacrie, a routine that combines hip-hop, breakdance, popping and other styles. This warrior dance is full of energy and performed to a percussive organic beat.
The Fête de la Musique brings a range of free concerts featuring French and local talent all playing at Publika for one glorious evening where plenty of food and beverage stalls will cater to the masses. Speaking of gastronomy, the newly added French Fair will be held across shopping malls in the Klang Valley, offering a number of activities such as food and drink tastings aimed to illustrate the French savoir-faire by showcasing the quality and variety of culinary specialties and lifestyle products.
All this and much more awaits at this year’s French bonanza so put on your best beret, grab a baguette at the market and enjoy!