From the land of romance and haute couture, Ayala Malls Cinemas brings a slice of the good life from France with the upcoming 22nd French Film Festival that started June 9 until June 17 at Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas. The film festival is in cooperation with the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Institut Français, the Alliance Français de Manille and Cebu and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

One of the country’s highly-anticipated film festivals, the French Film Festival showcases twelve (12) critically-acclaimed full-length films featuring the (French’s) charming culture. The film festival aims to immerse the local audience with the French’s unique storytelling of their culture.

Included in this year’s French Film Festival are Géronimo (https://youtu.be/Lcel1DBxeaI), Le Dernier Diamant – The Last Diamond (https://youtu.be/vb7S9AgfEZI), L’Ombre Des Femmes – In the Shadow of Women (https://youtu.be/-Wtci3KkjcY), Jamais De La Vie – The Night Watchman (https://youtu.be/oknZulfadb4), , Les Chevaliers Blancs – The White Knights (https://youtu.be/IJgsZt-82fo), Tour De France (https://youtu.be/iP1bcVjmhZU), Je Suis Un Soldat – I Am a Soldier (https://youtu.be/vgXGAltFUN8), Un Château En Italie – A Castle in Italy (https://youtu.be/gSW14H3-7e0), Nocturama (https://youtu.be/J122E5Ygz5s), Le Malheurs De Sophie – Sophie’s Misfortunes (https://youtu.be/APmzvGYpzhE), “21 Nuits Avec Pattie – 21 Nights with Pattie” (https://youtu.be/T_YqmudVQh4) and Bastille Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO7fJBipjT8).

“21 is set during the height of summer, Caroline, a forty-year-old Parisian and mother, arrives in a small village in the south of France. She must hastily organize the funeral of her mother, a flighty lawyer, whom she barely used to see.Caroline is welcomed by Pattie, who likes to talk about her love affairs with the local men to anyone who’ll listen. While the whole valley gets ready for the traditional mid-summer dance, Caroline’s mother’s corpse mysteriously disappears.

As the French Embassy celebrates its 70th year anniversary of French-Philippine diplomatic relations, the festival also pays homage to Filipino films that have been selected at the Cannes Film Festival namely “Nakaw” by Noel Escondo and Arvin Belarmino; “Ma’Rosa” by Brillante Mendoza; “On the Job” by Erik Matti and “Anino” by Raymond Red.

Additionally and for the first time, the festival dedicates one weekend for free public outdoor screenings at Circuit Makati on June 17 and 18.

An advocate of friendly relations among nations, Ayala Malls Cinemas continues to utilize its über -cinemas as a venue for institutional exchanges such as the French Film Festival as France reiterates its commitment to contribute to the country’s booming film industry.

Experience joie de vivre at Ayala Malls Cinemas’ Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas when the French Film Festival runs June 9 – 17, tickets are priced at P100. Check www.sureseats.com for the films’ schedules and advanced booking.