ON the 30th anniversary of the death of Louis de Funès, the Institut français put on a special evening of film and food to celebrate the hero of French comedy on Thursday 14 November 2013, as part of the 21st French Film Festival.
The popular French actor of Spanish origin is one of the giants of Gallic comedy alongside Bourvil and Fernandel. His acting style is remembered for its high-energy performance and a wide range of facial expressions that earned him the nickname, ‘the man with 40 faces a minute’.
For this special tribute, the Institut français offers a chance to discover or re-discover Claude Autant-Lara’s classic wartime comedy, La Traversée de Paris (1956). In one of his first significant role, Louis de Funès plays Jambier, the penny-pinching butcher to whom the two heroes Bourvil and Jean Gabin must deliver their precious suitcases.
There is no good French celebration without food, so the screening will be followed by a buffet of charcuterie, terrines and wine, served in suitcases, of course.
Written by Marcel Aymée, La Traversée de Paris plays the German occupation for slapstick comedy. The film begins with newsreel footage of the Nazis marching down the Champs-Élysées and ends with the city’s liberation. In between, the odd couple Gabin and Bourvil, who have met by chance in a bar, struggle to move their contraband pork meat sneaked in four suitcases – fending off an assortment of dogs, drunks, and cops.
The French Film Festival tribute to Louis de Funès also features a UK premiere in Edinburgh, London and Glasgow to the documentary Louis de Funès Forever, directed by Gregory Monro and Catherine Benazeth who will attend. There will also be a screening of the classic La folie des grandeurs (Delusions of Grandeur) in London (Sun 17 Nov).
For further information, screeners and images, contact: Vanessa Bismuth, communications & PR officer, Institut français d’Ecosse – 0131 220 7751 / pr@ifecosse.org.uk
- END –
Listings info:
LA TRAVERSÉE DE PARIS (Pigs across Paris)
A film by Claude Autant-Lara. Rated 12.
1956, 83 mins. With Jean Gabin, Bourvil, Louis de Funès, Anouk Ferjac
In French with English subtitles
Thursday 14 November 6.00pm
Followed by a celebratory banquet
Tickets: £15 / £13 include one glass of wine
Booking is essential: 0131 225 536
Notes for editors:
The Institut français d’Ecosse promotes French language and culture in Scotland, by providing French courses and organising events (film screenings, talks, exhibitions, concerts, etc.). It also aims to encourage cross-cultural exchange between France and Scotland, in cooperation with Scottish Francophile institutions. The Institut hosts regular free films screenings in its premises, from the classics to newest successes of French cinema. For more information about the cinema programme, visit www.ifecosse.org.uk/cinema or follow us on Twitter (@ifecosse) and Facebook.
The 21st edition of the French Film Festival UK will run from 7 November to 7 December 2013 in Edinburgh and across the UK. The programme includes an exquisitely restored version of Jacques Demy’s Lola with screen goddess Anouk Aimée, more than 30 UK premieres including Sylvain Chomet’s first live action feature, as well as tributes to Maurice Pialat and Bernadette Lafont. Visit www.frenchfilmfestival.org.uk for more information. For press enquiries, please contact Euan Hunt: euan.hunt@hotmail.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by the Institut français d’Ecosse. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Vanessa Bismuth
Phone: 01312255366
Email: pr@ifecosse.org.uk
Website: http://www.ifecosse.org.uk
