A Dozen Years of French Culture: French Film Festival Returns to Fullerton College
It’s time to experience the finest of French culture at Fullerton College with the return of the French Film Festival on March 27 – 29 at the Campus Theatre. Celebrating its 12th year, the Humanities Division and Foreign Languages Department invite the community to enjoy three nights of culture, food, art, and music.
Each night begins with a cultural event at 6:30 p.m. followed by one of three French films that range from an edge-of-your-seat thriller and heart-warming coming-of-age story, to a whimsical French romance.
“We’re really excited about the film selections this year because they originate from different regions of France, which help people understand more about France beyond Paris,” said Foreign Languages Professor and French Club Advisor Catherine Reinhardt-Zacair.
Guests will enjoy many fun activities, planned French Club students, during a cultural hour each night, Reinhardt-Zacair said.
The French Club was honored with an award by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy last fall to assist students with cultural programming during the Festival. The award celebrates American student organizations that produce creative projects that introduce new audiences to French culture.
Guests of the film festival will also enjoy free cuisine samples sponsored by local restaurants including Crêpes Bonaparte, Crêpes de Paris, Bourbon Street Bar and Grill, Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Rutabegorz, and Fraise Café. The French Club has also collaborated with students from Sonora High School in La Habra to create Parisian monuments that will help bring a French scene to life at Fullerton College.
Tickets for the French Film Festival are available for purchase on Eventbrite or at the Fullerton College Box Office for $10 for adult general admission and $7 for students, per night. Proceeds from the event support the Molière French Scholarship fund.
Free parking will be available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the parking structure located off of Lemon Street and Fullerton College Drive beginning at 6 p.m.
This year’s films are:
Monday, March 27: Boite Noire/Blackbox (2021) Rated PG
This exciting thriller features Matthieu, a young, talented black box analyst who uses his autistic gifts to uncover the truth behind the deadly crash of a brand-new aircraft. Matthieu must defy his superiors’ orders and go rogue with his investigation, threatening more than his career in order to solve this deadly mystery.
Tuesday, March 28: Eiffel (2021) Rated R
This moving romantic drama is inspired by the true story of the creation of Paris’ beloved la Tour Eiffel. It follows the long-lost love that led French engineer Gustave Eiffel to create the iconic tower that bears his name for the 1889 Paris World Fair, changing the destiny of the City of Light forever.
Wednesday, March 29: Hawa (2022) Rated PG13
This family drama features 15-year-old Hawa living with her Senegalese terminally ill grandmother. Determined to stay out of foster care and possessing a strong fighting spirit, Hawa decides that her new adoptive “mother” should be Michelle Obama, who is visiting Paris soon. As she sets about her goal, she meets guides along the way that help her discover her own acceptance and love.
For more information visit the French Film Festival website.
