To honor and celebrate French cinema, SMU will take part in a French Film Festival beginning this Thursday and continuing through mid-April. The festival is a screening of five French films chosen by officers of the French Club and funded by the cultural services of the French Embassy and the Cultural Ministry of France.

Only 25 universities across the country are granted funding to take part in the festival, and SMU has participated for the past seven years. All five screenings will be free and open to students, faculty and the public. The festival also serves as a recruitment event for SMU through announcements sent to several high school French teachers and community college French professors all over north Dallas, encouraging their students to attend the festival.

“Because the festival is advertised so well, we usually have a great turn out,” French professor Rita Windandy said. She also sponsors the French Club. “French cinema is important not only to the French culture, but also to the American culture. French films are enjoyed all over the world, and this festival is a great opportunity to get exposure to some great work.”

The showcased films are chosen by the officers of the French Club. They watch around 20 films and then narrow it down to the five that will be shown.

“This year is going to be especially great. We have selected a variety of films, so people can experience the different aspects and different artists of French cinema,” vice president of the French Club Carrie Major said.

Film Festival Schedule

March 27th
Le Placard (The Closet)
starring Gerard DePardieu

April 1
Un Affaire de Gout (A Matter of Taste)

April 4
Amelie

April 8
Lumumba

April 11
Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolves)