If there is one thing we can rely on when it comes to film, fine food, wine and swordsmanship, it is the French. We had it all this week at the Gala Opening night of the 35th Alliance Francaise French Film Festival (AFFFF). It was bigger than ever, evident by the packed foyer and cinemas at Palace Barracks.
From being greeted by staff in their pink AFFFF logo T-shirts handing out parking vouchers to walking into French-attired swashbucklers in combat. I thought the musketeers were there to protect me as their Queen. Well, for a moment I felt like one when I sat on the royal regal throne. Or was it the sipping of Grandin Brut that made my imagination wander?
Either way, the night was full of fun and banter. A delectable selection of gourmet treats made by local French bakery Banette was handed to us as we walked into the cinema for a special preview of The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan. We received a warm welcome from guest speakers Jerome Carujo, Director Alliance Francaise Brisbane, Jacqui Feeney, Screen QLD and Dr Joe Hardwick, School of Languages and Cultures at The University of Queensland.
To further soothe our palates after the film, platters of crowd-pleasing cheeses from Fromager d’Affinois served with baguette and crackers worked perfectly with a glass of 2016 Tournon Pyrenees Shiraz from Shay’s Flat Vineyard as our shoulders supported a show bag full of AFFFF treasures to take home.
Storyline
Being a lover of anything French and anything to do with the Musketeers I was happy to preview The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan. As hoped, director Martin Bourboulon ensured there was lots of planning, plotting and sword fighting amongst the cast of super actors, Francois Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmai, Eva Green and Louis Garrel.
It is an all-star French adaptation and a wonderful take on French novelist and playwright, Alexandre Dumas’s classic The Three Musketeers which was first published in 1844. But it seems none have approached the scope and spectacle of the wildly entertaining blockbuster two-film production in this way.
Like The Count of Monte Cristo, his novels are full of adventure and intrigue. This is what the latest film is about including the cheeky as well as the serious side of the Musketeers.
Set in the early 17th-century kingdom of France the opening instalment D’Artagnan follows a spirited young swordsman, Charles D’Artagnan (played by Francois Civil) on his journey from Gascony to Paris to join the King’s elite Musketeers of the Guard.
Along the way, he narrowly escapes death whilst heroically saving a woman from being kidnapped. In his pursuits, he manages to offend the formidable Musketeers but soon wins them over. His dedication to helping his newfound friends and serving King Louis XIII leads him into more than he bargained for where the future of the nation itself is at stake and a young woman captures his heart.
Full of romance, humour, palace intrigue, pulse-pounding action and contemporary touches I see why this magnificent production was France’s biggest box-office success in 2023.
PS: Part Two, The Three Musketeers: Milday is one I will be chasing. There is a double feature on Sunday 17 March at 3.45 pm for arrival and the film at 4 pm.
Information including tickets
Alliance Francaise 35th French Film Festival showcases 41 wonderful diverse genres of film, something for everyone including families and children.
Showing in Brisbane from 5 March to 2 April. But, we can’t have all the fun in Brisvegas – AFFFF ensures us it will be shared across our nation. Au revoir mes amis et bonne chance !!
Nationwide Festival Dates:
SYDNEY, NSW, 5 March – 9 April
MELBOURNE, VIC, 6 March – 2 April
PERTH, WA, 6 March – 2 April
CANBERRA, ACT, 7 March – 2 April
BRISBANE, QLD, 5 March – 2 April
BYRON BAY, NSW, 7 March – 27 March
ADELAIDE, SA, 21 March – 16 April
GOLD COAST, QLD, 3 April – 16 April
Regional Dates:
HOBART, TAS, 4 April – 14 April
VICTOR HARBOUR, SA 4 April – 10 April
MOUNT GAMBIER, SA 17 April – 21 April
RENMARK, SA 22 March – 6 April
PARRAMATTA, NSW 11 April – 14 April
BUNBURY, WA, 18 April – 21 April
BENDIGO, VIC, 19 April – 21 April
https://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/
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Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70’s, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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