French Film Festival UK at The Courtyard 2017

The UK’s only country-wide celebration of French and francophone cinema, French Film Festival UK, returns to The Courtyard this winter with a mix of classic and contemporary film.

The festival features a return of two classics Jean de Florette (PG) (Mon 20 Nov, 2.30pm) and Manon des Sources (PG) (Mon 27 Nov, 2.30pm) in brand new copies. Filled with unforgettable characters, these two films are impeccably involving and moving.

On Thursday a newer release Un Sac De Billes (A Bag of Marbles) (12A) (Thurs 23, 7.45pm) is showing. Based on the famous and acclaimed memoirs of Joseph Joffo, A Bag of Marbles offers a new version of his incredible story following the experiences of two young Jewish boys living in France during the Second World War.

With the 150th anniversary of Marie Curie’s birth on 7 November the Festival will show Marie Noëlle’s new film covering the most turbulent years in her life; Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge (15) (Fri 24, 6pm & Wed 29, 8pm). The film is set between 1905, when Curie comes with her husband Pierre to Stockholm to be awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radioactivity, and 1911, when she receives her second Nobel Prize, after challenging France’s male-dominated academic establishment both as a scientist and a woman.

The festival ends with Aurore (Aurora) (12A) (Tuesday 28, 11am)as Blandine Lenoir with her second feature offers an endearing film, brimming with charm and optimism, with Agnès Jaoui revealing the full extent of her talents in the title role.

The French Film Festival will be in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre from Wednesday 30 Nov – Wednesday 7 December. Tickets to all four films cost only £20 when purchased together. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk.