The red carpet at the Palace Centro could barely be seen through the crowd of people. The line extended beyond the footpath all the way to the James st pedestrian crossing, to confuse passing drivers. I was excited, it was my first film festival, there was an air of glamour that was almost edible. This could only be because it was the French film festival. Even the very word 'French' implies glamour and conjures up images of, well, what I was looking at right in front me. I took a deep breath and stepped into the throng. I squeezed my way through the crowd of beautifully dressed and beautifully perfumed filmophiles (yes it was that crowded!), a glass of sparkling champagne was pressed into my hand by a french waiter and before I knew it I was washed up the Palace Centro stairs and into Cinema One. A tote bag was pressed into my free hand with a cheery 'bonsoir' to which I awkwardly mumbled something that I hoped sounded like 'merci' but was probably more like an Australian 'murr-ceey' and quickly ran away to find my seat before they might realize I wasn't actually French!

I was delighted to discover in my tote bag, emblazoned with the Alliance Française French Film Festival Logo, a french film DVD, Film Ink Magazine, organic popcorn, L'Occitane hand cream and conditioner and a toothpick which I was sure would come in handy later (in hindsight I realize it was actually a cocktail stick but none the less just as useful).

This year the opening film was Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs à Tire-La rigot (Micmacs). Jeunet is most well known for his films Amelie (2001) and Delicatessen (1991) and, I was also interested to discover, Aliens 4 (1997). As in his French films, it is the characters that create the interest (and fun!) in the film. Micmacs tells the story of Bazil (Dany Boon) who as a child loses his father when he is blown up by a landmine and as an adult finds himself in the unfortunate situation of having a bullet lodged in his brain which could kill him at any moment.  He is taken in by a group of misfits each with their own unique talent and together they decide to bring down the two arms manufacturers responsible for creating the bullet and the land mine that killed Bazil's father. Comedy and mayhem ensues to fit the title Micmacs which google translates as 'jiggory-pokery' but Jeanet describes as meaning 'a mixture, a mélange'.

The film, while playful and fantastic has a satirical undertone. In one scene the comedic facade is drawn back like curtains revealing a dark message about people who make a living from weapons that destroy lives. I found it to be a shocking contrast in tone, but just as quickly the comedic curtain is drawn back over and we are delivered safely back into a the realm of fantastic fun. I enjoyed seeing a film that aims to affect the human conscience through comedy, however subtle.

After the film we were directed though the cinemas emergency exit to the carpark below. The carpark had been transformed into a fabulous bar setting complete with opulent french chandelier and laser lights lazily licking the cement ceiling.  A feathered female singer crooned french songs accompanied by a band and this perfected the party atmosphere. There seemed to be no end to the cocktails, wine, beer and french canapės. I was quick to nab something that I can only describe as salmon on a pikelet but I'm sure would have such a delightful name if only I knew it in French.  Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I shall definitely be attending more film festivals in the future.

The Alliance Française French Film Festival is now in it's 21^st year and like a fine wine it is continuing to improve and grow with age. This year there are a record of 42 films showing across 6 different genres and over 80 showings between the Palace Centro and Palace Barracks cinemas. The festival extends from 17^th - 31^st March. More information about the films and screening times can be found here.

Write up by special guest writer, Rachel Marsden.



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