French box office favorite "The Intouchables" to hit SA!

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, "The Intouchables" has broken box office records in France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), the film depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humour between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common. Directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the film was nominated for a total of nine 2012 César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including Best Picture, and won Best Actor for breakout star Omar Sy. It also won 7 international awards, and was seen by over 50 millions viewers across the globe.

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Ataya/Thé/Tea: A video installation explores the contributions of Francophone migrants in Hillbrow

On Thursday the 15th of November, a video installation and a tea ceremony will draw focus on the African Francophone community living in Hillbrow. The video "Ataya/thé/tea" relates to the West African tradition of tea making that has welcomed visual artists Hobbs/Neustetter on many of their visits in Dakar, Mali and Hillbrow. The almost ritualistic act of making tea is not only one of connecting people, but is a gesture of generosity and engagement. In contrast to the negative image of Hillbrow and the harsh realities of a complex urban landscape, drinking tea in a social setting is a comforting pass time and intimate personal moment, an assertion of the everyday in the city, but peculiarly at odds with Johannesburg's familiar aggression and intensity.

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2nd edition of "Kunjanimation" cinema festival to open on 0ctober, 17th in Cape Town and Johannesburg

Last year saw the launch of an innovative, daring project: Kunjanimation, a French-South African cinema festival entirely dedicated to animation. Animation cinema being a vibrant industry in both France and South Africa, the idea was to address the two key aspects of this fast-growing sector: the artistic creation and the financial development. After a successful first edition, Kunjanimation - a word that derives from the Zulu greeting, "kunjani", combined with "animation" - comes back this year as part of the France–South Africa Season 2012 & 2013, with enhanced ambitions. A large selection of screenings will be open to the general public, both in Cape Town and Johannesburg, while the festival will seek to be a more goal-directed platform for professional business.

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Michel Gondry's Home Movie Factory open its doors !

Inspired by his film "Be Kind Rewind", internationally celebrated film director Michel Gondry conceived The Home Movie Factory; an interactive installation where you make your own movie. The Home Movie Factory is a truly unique and interactive concept, which after shows in Paris, New York, and Rotterdam, is now being set up in Johannesburg at The Bioscope Independent Cinema as part of The France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013.

The Home Movie Factory invites the general public at no charge, to star in and make their very own movies through a formula designed by Gondry himself. The filming will take place within an interactive installation of backgrounds, props and costumes that will reflect the iconic and everyday aspects of Johannesburg.

The Factory is located at Museum Of African Design - 281 Commissioner Street (a block away from The Bioscope in The Maboneng Precinct) - Opening night Thursday 30 August at 6:30pm (by invitation only) - The Factory will be running until end of October - Book your session at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Aliker": start your M&G literary festival with a film!

A renowned French writer, children's author and essayist, Patrick Chamoiseau will attend the next edition of the annual Mail&Guardian literary festival in Johannesburg (28 August-2 September). Born and bred in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, Chamoiseau is a successful meddler who also foster a great interest for cinema. He has written several feature lenght screenplays for director Guy Deslauriers, a fellow artist from Martinique. "Aliker" is the last film resulting from their collaboration, and will be screened at the very beginning of the festival on Tuesday the 28th (7pm). Released in 2008, with French rap super-star Stomy Bugsy in the title role, "Aliker" recalls with great precision the tragic fate of André Aliker, an assassinated journalist and militant in the Martinique of the thirties. Praised for its historical accuracy, the film recreates the social tension between rural workers and powerful landowners in an island still deeply marked by the remnants of slavery. With his astute artistic approach and moving political message, "Aliker" is the best way to start your M&G literary festival!

The annual Mail&Guardian literary festival will take place between Tuesday 28th August and Sunday 2nd of September at the Johannesburg Market Theatre.
"Aliker" will be screened at the Market theatre of Johannesburg on Tuesday the 28th of August at 7pm and at the Alliance française of Cape Town on Thursday the 30th at 7pm.