Image via Rendez-vous Cinéma poster
Rendez-vous Cinéma events
By Caroline Ho, Arts Editor
If you’re interested in learning more about the French language and francophone cultures, meeting others who share your interest, or simply watching award-winning movies at Douglas, the Rendez-vous Cinéma series is your perfect chance.
Presented by the Department of Modern Languages, Rendez-vous Cinéma hosts free, open-to-all screenings of French films with English subtitles, followed by discussions of the films in French, with several events throughout the semester.
However, students who are interested in attending but feel uncertain about their French language skills should not hesitate at all to join, says Carine Hirschi, a French Instructor and one of the event organizers, who spoke with the Other Press in an email interview.
“The event is totally accessible to people who do not speak French, not even a little bit, but who are open to listen to a film in French,” wrote Hirschi.
In addition to the English subtitles, the introduction to the film and the discussion afterward are largely bilingual, so everyone is able to enjoy the movies and to participate in the conversation if they wish. The discussion gives everyone an opportunity to share their reactions to the content, themes, and the making of the films.
Hirschi said the organizers have tried to choose films that showcase different geographic areas of the francophone world and different cultures, as well as a variety of cinematic genres. Last semester included an animated film based on West African folktales, and this semester’s lineup features movies about Algeria, Canada, and Paris.
The movies have also been selected based on their social and cultural significance, addressing themes such as “dealing with disability, cultural clashes, the question of evil and suffering, religious beliefs, standing for peace in times of upheaval, [and] happiness,” wrote Hirschi.
Last Wednesday, Rendez-vous Cinéma screened Des Hommes et Des Dieux (2010), a film about the Algerian Civil War and religious strife. On Wednesday, February 21, they’ll be watching Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006), a comedy-thriller featuring Québec and Ontario police. Wednesday, March 21 will be Amélie/Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain, a whimsical romantic comedy about its titular character’s quest for happiness. All screenings begin at 4:45 p.m. in Room N2203 on the New Westminster Campus.
The Rendez-vous Cinéma series began in Fall 2017 and is now into its second semester. Attendance has been modest so far, said Hirschi, but not at all limited to people from the Modern Languages Department—it’s been people of all ages, including students, employees, and visitors to Douglas, all linked by their interest in the francophone world.
