Part One of my Vancouver International Film Festival 2010 preview was heavy on the UK and I did say that this year was all about the UK and France well part two features two French films that I am excited to see:

1. The Princess of Montpensier:

During 16th-century France’s era of bloody religious strife, the cultivated soldier-scholar Chabanne (played by the brilliant Lambert Wilson, also inOf Gods and Men) grows disillusioned with the endless savagery. He is hired as an instructor for Marie, an irresistibly beautiful romantic-erotic prize sought by several young noblemen. As he experiences his own forbidden desire for Marie, Chabanne must also protect her from the dangerously corrupt court dominated by Catherine De Medici… Tavernier translates Madame de Lafayette’s novel into a brilliant evocation of the terrible conflict between duty and passion. Though the themes are classic – this is the stuff of tragedies from Racine and Corneille – Tavernier manages to make them feel passionately, urgently contemporary.

Sat, Oct 2nd 6:30pm
Park Theatre

Tue, Oct 5th 12:30pm
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

2. Not sure if this is in French, not according to the trailer but it is a co-production of France and the film is Certified Copy

Juliette Binoche (Best Actress, Cannes) is an antique-shop owner in romantic and gorgeously rendered Tuscany who strikes up a relationship – or is it just a “copy” of a relationship – with an English author (William Shimell, a first-time film actor). Marking Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami’s return to narrative filmmaking, Certified Copy also happens to be his first feature made outside of Iran – and a certified masterpiece. Binoche’s absolutely captivating performance along with cinematographer Luca Bigazzi – who better to capture the fabled Tuscan landscapes than Italy’s greatest cinematographer? – just add to the film’s myriad pleasures.

Thu, Oct 7th 4:00pm
Park Theatre

4. Another Year is Mike Leigh’s latest film and the buzz of this film is around Leigh vet Lesley Manville.

At the heart of Another Year is a contented, solidly middle-class family in North London. Tom (played by Oscar-winner and Leigh favorite Jim Broadbent) and his wife Gerri (Ruth Sheen) provide a mature anchor for an odd collection of waifs and strays. They seem to have the perfect, mutually supportive marriage. He is an engineering geologist and she works as a medical counselor. They tend their vegetable plot, care about the environment and cook endless meals for family and friends… By the end of it all there’s been a funeral and the promise of a wedding. Leigh emerges as totally in control of his material, driven by the characters rather than the plot. Nothing much may seem to have happened but the journey into everyday lives and human frailties proves constantly engrossing and satisfying.

Sun, Oct 10th 10:30am
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

Mon, Oct 11th 6:45pm
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

Wed, Oct 13th 3:45pm
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

5. Tamara Drewe is based on the graphic novel of the same name which in turn was based on Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd. It stars Brit It girl du jour Gemma Arterton in the title role.

When attractive celebrity journalist Tamara Drewe (Gemma Arterton) returns to her rural English village after the death of her mother, the men fall all over themselves.

Tue, Oct 5th 6:45pm
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

Fri, Oct 8th 1:15pm
Visa Screening Room
@ Empire Granville Th7

Mon, Oct 11th 1:15pm
Vancity Theatre

Hope to see you guys there for most or all of these films. Go to http://www.viff.org/festival to get tickets.