Je ne sais quoi: VCU French Film Festival appeals to wider audience
Joannah Nwokeabia
Issue date: 4/4/05 Section: Spectrum
Richmonder Michael Thelen said French films had more subtly than American-made movies.
"American films are as subtle as a turd in a punchbowl. French still have a concept of art," he said, adding that American films are primarily made to generate revenue.
Jackie Woods, a high school student from Ashburn came with her entire French class. She said she was struck by the down-to-earth nature of the French actors, Thierry Lhermitte in particular.
"I was really surprised he was sitting there alone," she said of her meeting the popular actor at a reception Saturday evening. "I would expect a big Hollywood actor to be here with their entourage."
Frederic Tapé, a student at VCU, found the French characters more humane and plots more relatable despite the films having smaller budgets than many American films.
"Hollywood movies seem to be out of touch with reality," he said.
Françoise Ravaux-Kirkpatrick, director and co-founder of the festival, said the festival has become popular because Francophone films strike a chord with audiences in the states.
"I think there is a real need and a real interest in American audiences for French films," she said.
Tapé, junior economics major, said he came to the festival because he speaks the language fluently and loves French movies. Thierry Lhermitte is also one of his favorite actors.
"I came to enjoy the movies and be around French speaking people and people interested in French culture," Tapé said.
Peter Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Office of International Education, founded the film festival in 1993 to encourage a better understanding of French culture and cinema among students. Last year around 16,000 people saw the French films. This year Ravaux-Kirkpatrick, a French professor at University of Richmond, said she expects a larger turnout.
Ravaux-Kirkpatrick said she has noticed the audience become larger and more diverse as people are traveling from farther distances to attend. One person flew in from London, she noted.
French Ambassador to the United States, Jean-David Levitte helped introduce this year's French Delegation. As directors and actors crammed in front of the stage during the delegation ceremony, Kirkpatrick joked that the film festival may be outgrowing the Byrd Theatre. As it seems, the seed he planted 13 years ago in Richmond is the gift that keeps on giving.
"American films are as subtle as a turd in a punchbowl. French still have a concept of art," he said, adding that American films are primarily made to generate revenue.
Jackie Woods, a high school student from Ashburn came with her entire French class. She said she was struck by the down-to-earth nature of the French actors, Thierry Lhermitte in particular.
"I was really surprised he was sitting there alone," she said of her meeting the popular actor at a reception Saturday evening. "I would expect a big Hollywood actor to be here with their entourage."
Frederic Tapé, a student at VCU, found the French characters more humane and plots more relatable despite the films having smaller budgets than many American films.
"Hollywood movies seem to be out of touch with reality," he said.
Françoise Ravaux-Kirkpatrick, director and co-founder of the festival, said the festival has become popular because Francophone films strike a chord with audiences in the states.
"I think there is a real need and a real interest in American audiences for French films," she said.
Tapé, junior economics major, said he came to the festival because he speaks the language fluently and loves French movies. Thierry Lhermitte is also one of his favorite actors.
"I came to enjoy the movies and be around French speaking people and people interested in French culture," Tapé said.
Peter Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Office of International Education, founded the film festival in 1993 to encourage a better understanding of French culture and cinema among students. Last year around 16,000 people saw the French films. This year Ravaux-Kirkpatrick, a French professor at University of Richmond, said she expects a larger turnout.
Ravaux-Kirkpatrick said she has noticed the audience become larger and more diverse as people are traveling from farther distances to attend. One person flew in from London, she noted.
French Ambassador to the United States, Jean-David Levitte helped introduce this year's French Delegation. As directors and actors crammed in front of the stage during the delegation ceremony, Kirkpatrick joked that the film festival may be outgrowing the Byrd Theatre. As it seems, the seed he planted 13 years ago in Richmond is the gift that keeps on giving.
