Directed by Anthony Minghella (2007, English) with Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose, Lucien Mcamati…
Mma Precious Ramotswe becomes a private detective, the first woman in
Botswana to enter that profession, and opens an agency whose name
indicates this unique situation. Motivated to help others and to make
Botswana a better place, she encounters many dangerous and risky
obstacles in the course of her investigations, but succeeds through
using her intelligence, courage and instinct. Along with the plot
developments, Mma Ramotswe provides observations upon the fine
qualities of Botswana and Africa: the culture, traditions, and natural
beauties found there, and the inhabitants' pride in their land.
Into the Wild, Directed by Sean Penn (2008, 2H27min English with French
subtitle) with Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt
Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead,
22-year-old top student and athlete Christopher McCandless (Emile
Hirsh) abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings
account to charity and walked out of his privileged life and into the
wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way
transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless
people.
Admission: Free
Where: Hall N111, SPAS Building, USP Laucala Campus
When: 19h30
'Goodbye Lenin' (2004, 121min, Comedy, German with English subtitles),
directed by Wolfgang Becker. A young German boy pulls off an elaborate
scheme to keep his mother in good health. Suffering a heart attack and
falling into a coma after seeing her son arrested during a protest,
Alex's mother remains comatose through the fall of the Berlin wall and
the German Democratic Republic. Knowing that the slightest shock could
prove fatal upon his mother's awakening, Alex strives to keep all of
these happenings a secret.
Where: Alliance Française, Suva
When: 7.30 pm
La Traversée (France, 2006, 55 min, French with English Subtitles) is directed by Elizabeth Leuvrey.
Every summer, crowds of people cross the sea between France and
Algeria, a motley crew of men and women laden with suitcases and
stories. At sea, you are no longer in France and not yet in Algeria. In
this state of limbo, between two shores and two countries, the talk
comes thick and fast, often out of necessity.
'The Chorus' ('Les Choristes') (2004, 95min, French with English
subtitles) is directed by Christophe Barratier, featuring Gérard Jugnot
and François Berléand.
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: 4pm
In this gentle French drama from first-time director Christophe
Barratier, a music teacher lands a job at a boys' boarding school
populated by delinquents and orphans. Sensing potential in the
rambunctious ruffians, he forms a choir to rein in his charges through
the transforming power of song…even at the probable cost of his career.
The Pacific Writers Forum and The Alliance Française de Suva have set
up a programme of monthly screenings at USP, to enable USP students and
the general public to experience the diversity and richness of world
cinema.
‘Volver’ (‘To Return’)(2006, 121min, Spanish with English subtitles),
directed by Pedro Almodovar with Penelope Cruz. Two sisters lose their
parents in a fire in La Mancha, their birth village, years ago. Their
aunt still lives in the village and continues to speak about her
sister, the mother of the two sisters, as if she were still alive. When
the old aunt dies the situation changes and the past returns in a twist
of mystery and suspense.
‘Volver' is witty, warm, funny, colourful, disturbing, uplifting and
lightly dark with a well told story and lovable characters portrayed
wonderfully by the actresses.’
7.30pm, Hall N111, SPAS Building, USP Laucala Campus. Admission: Free
‘The Chorus’ (‘Les Choristes’) (2004, 95min, French with English
subtitles) is directed by Christophe Barratier, featuring Gérard Jugnot
and François Berléand. In this gentle French drama from first-time
director Christophe Barratier, a music teacher lands a job at a boys'
boarding school populated by delinquents and orphans. Sensing potential
in the rambunctious ruffians, he forms a choir to rein in his charges
through the transforming power of song…even at the probable cost of his
career.
4.30pm, Suva City Library. Admission: Free.
As part of the Suva City Carnegie Library Centennial Celebrations,
renowned storytellers Liviana Tabalala and Frances Koya, will narrate a
story, targeted at both children and teenage audiences.
4.30pm, Suva City Library, Suva. Admission: Free.
The Alliance Française and the Suva City Library are organising film screenings to commemorate ‘Library Week.’
‘Asterix & Cleopatra’ (‘Astérix et Cléopatre’) (1968, 72min,
English) finally reveals the truth about the Queen of the Nile and her
relationship with Julius Caesar, in this highly successful,
sword-swinging, slapstick animated feature. Hero Asterix and his
faithful sidekick Obelix travel to ancient Egypt to help Cleopatra
build a new summer home in an attempt to prove Caesar wrong…
‘The movie follows the same plot as the book, but has its own humorous
additions and changes of its own, while staying true to the spirit of
the book.’
2.45pm, Suva City Library. Admission: Free. For more information call the Alliance Française on 3313802.
Where: Alliance Française
When: Friday 15th and saturday 16th August
Free Entrance
PHOTO WORKSHOP Photo Workshop within the “Eye on the Street” photo competition
Pick up a few photography skills or brush up on your own by attending
this workshop. It will be administrated by Adi Nacola and is hosted by
the Alliance Française and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum
Pacific Project as a built-up towards the photography contest « Eyes on
the Streets » (see hereunder).
Watch out! The topic will be “the Hibiscus Carnival”, so be ready to go and invade the streets.
Space limitations allow 25 people and those interested must register
before the workshop. to register or for more details contact the
Alliance Française. A debriefing will take place on Saturday 23rd
August at the Alliance Française.
At the occasion of the anniversary celebration of India’s Independent
Day, Kamacentral and the Alliance Francaise, with the support of
India’s High Commission, are organising an Indian Film Festival.
TUESDAY, 12 AUGUST: Panther Panchali
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: Launch at 6.00pm
Free entrance
Panther Panchali (India, 1958, Drama, 115 min, Bengali with English subtitles)
This film was nominated for the BAFTA Film Award. Sometime in the early
years of the century, Apu is born to a poor Brahmin family in a village
in Bengal. The father cannot earn enough money to keep his family going
and Apu’s sister is forever stealing guavas from the neighbour’s
orchards. All these add to the daily struggles of the mother’s life…
“Outwardly a reassuring peaceful reflection of one Brahman family,
PAther Pancahli calmly demonstrates the fragility of this serene
illusion”.
WEDNESDAY, 13 AUGUST: 36 Chowringhee Lane
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: at 6.30pm
Free entrance
36 Chowringhee Lane (India, 1981, Drama, 108 min).
In Calcutta, a single woman – a teacher from English origin - allows
the chance for love to flourish as she invites a young Indian couple to
use her apartment to continue their liaison instead of sneaking around
in public.
“A subtle melodrama which portraits in terms of generations and social
belonging, the relations between a young Indian couple and a
middle-aged woman from English descent”
THURSDAY, 14 AUGUST: Life in the Metro
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: at 6.30pm
Free entrance
Life in the Metro (India, 2007, Comedy/Drama, 132 min), a film by Anurag Basu
This film tells six different stories, about nine people, each with
different issues and problems, all occurring within one place: the
metro.
“A Bollywood Musical aiming at being entreatingly clever. A real success!”
When: Tuesday, 19 August, 7.30pm, (TBC)
Where: USP Main campus, N111, SPAF building
Admission free
The Party (US, 1968, 98min), directed by Blake Edwards with Peter Sellers.
Hrundi V. Bakshi, an Indian actor, is hiredby a Hollywood studio to
interpret the role of an indigenous soldier in a remake of the film
Gunga Din. But clumsy Hrundi V. Bakshi makes the whole and expensive
set up blow up…
The film producer, C.S. Divot, is profoundly irritated and wants Bakshi
to be put ona black list of unwanted people. However, after a
misunderstanding, the comedian ends up invited to the yearly cocktail
evening of the studio…
“A hilarious burlesque comedy, with Peter Sellers at his best; a masterpiece”.
When: 7.30pm
Where: Alliance Française
Admission free
To Be and To Have (France, 2002, 104 min), directed by Nicolas Philibert.
This documentary is a close up on the only class of a communal school
in Saint-Etienne sur Usson, in Auvergne (France). The film director,
Nicolas Philibert, managed to film one of these class taught by one and
unique teacher and in which all the children (of primary school) from a
same village go to.
“A big commercial hit totally unexpected in France; a sweet portrait of childhood in a rural elementary school”.
When: 7.30pm
Where: Alliance Française
Admission free
Le Grand Voyage, (France, 2004) by Ismaël Ferroukhi.
Introduced at the 2004 Venis’ Mostra, « le Grand Voyage » (or “the Big
trip”) got the « Luigi de Laurentis » Price for the Best First Film.
Reda, the son, is about 20 years old and finds himself having to drive
his father to Mecca, only a couple of weeks before his Baccalauréat
exam (A levels). Reda wants to live this trip as he intends to, but his
father doesn’t want to deviate from his goal, the pilgrim.
“A complex father and son relationship, in which silence rather than
dialogue dominates, and in which exile exacerbates this ever wider gap
between them”.
Where: Labasa
When: Saturday 23rd AUGUST, 9am-4pm
Free Entrance
Pick up a few photography skills or brush up on your own by attending
this workshop. It will be administrated by Bruce Southwick and is
hosted by the Alliance Française and the Commonwealth Local Government
Forum Pacific Project as a built-up towards the photography contest «
Eyes on the Streets » (see hereunder).
Watch out! The topic will be “the Festival of the Friendly North”, so be ready to go and invade the streets.
The best way to pick up a few photography skills or brush up on them by
attending this workshop. It was administrated by Adi Nacola and hosted
by the Alliance Française and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum
Pacific Project as a built-up towards the photography contest « Eyes on
the Streets »
Where: Alliance Française
When: 26 June - 4 July
Launch Thursday 26 June, 6pm
Free Entrance
The Alliance Française has hosted a Visual Arts exhibition which will consist in a simultaneous indoor and outdoor display.
Outdoors was the launch of a Caledonian-Fijian sculpture, outcome of a
co production between Caledonian carver Adje and Fijian carvers Ben
Fong and Paula Liga from the Oceania Centre for arts and Culture.
This sculpture is now homed permanently at the Alliance Française and
the three carvers used this opportunity to showcase a range of their
artworks which will be on sale.
Indoors, well known Sydney based Fijian painter, Rusiate Lali,
showcased an indoor special exhibitions of paintings: “Eleutheria”.
Rusiate won the first price of the Alliance Française de Suva 20th
anniversary Art contest last year.
Some information about the artists exhibiting:
Adje
Based in Nouméa since the 70’s, he his a skillfull and recognised
artist, sculpts steel, paints wood, installs destabilisation and forges
delicate words with his blowlamp made of humour.
South America has given him the taste for travelling and meeting people.
He often works with several others or in duo, organizing collective
exhibitions as well as inviting guests for his more personal exhibits.
The various cultures found in New Caledonia, news, literature, nature,
everything inspires him: from the banina, to boats, the sea and the
rubbish dump, the yam and the palm tree.
He excels in the creation of monumental objects, fresques and different
sculptures. He took part in the totems « pascuanians » of the small
Canard island and then imagined great myths such as the unicorn and the
Nautilus, actually translating Jules Vernes’ fantasmagory.
He’s been participating regularly to international art sculpture festivals and contests in France, Australia, USA.
Peni Saimone « Ben » Fong
Born in Vanuabalavu in the Lau islands, Ben Fong aspires to be the best
professional welder in Fiji. In 1997, Ben saw an advertisement for a
workshop for professional welders and decided to enter even though at
that time, he was not a professional welder. Ben participates to
different projects initiated by the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture
and ended up receiving calls from Professor Hau’ofa. Until today, he
continues to challenge his imagination and skills to create forms that
has never been seen before. Through contemporary sculptures he
expresses his commentary on life events that affect him. For the past
several years, he has been reflecting on the political upheavals in
Fiji. The other side to Ben’s varied body of work is his intimate
reflections on people like a mother and a child. Ben Fong’s sculptures
attest to his boundless imagination, kindness and sense of humor.
Paula Liga
Paula Liga also comes from the Lau islands and has been carving since
ha was a young boy in Fulanga. His father was a carver too. Paula moved
to Suva in the 60s and continues carving; He then got in the 90s, a
partial-time post at USP as a Human Sciences professor. That is also
when Epeli Hau’ofa invites him to the Oceania Center. Breaking away
from tradition was new in Fiji but when the Center hosted Paula’s solo
exhibition in 2001, his creative carvings were well received:
“Traditional carving is common throughout Fiji, but no one had seen
anything like the contemporary carving’s I produce”. Paula’s first
ideas for his sculptures came from books and conversations with Epeli
Hau’ofa: “I began by creating animals and figures linked to a single
form. Now the ideas come from my own mind. I find that the more I
imagine creative sculptures the more ideas I have. The process of
carving gives me ideas. I also depict Fijian legends though sculpture.
I also choose images from stories that others share with me.”
Paula sees himself as a new generation of Fulangan carvers: “I am not
breaking away from my tradition. What I am creating is just one aspect
of carving.” Through his sculpture, Paula is opening up opportunities
for others to take on the trade of carving in Fiji: “Carving has been
passed through generations of men from Fulangan but now young men are
not interested in what our grandfathers did.”
Rusiate Lali
Born in Nausori, Rusiate Lali was raised by his grand-mother who
groomed him from an early age to be an artist. Clay was put in his hand
as a baby. Rusiate was surrounded all through his childhood by artists
from carvers to weavers, dancers to potters, and every steps he took
reinforced his inner need to follow his distinguished artistic lineage.
Rusiate was one of the founding members of the Red Wave group at the
center for Oceanic Arts and Culture un Suva, Fiji in the mid 90s. In
2000 his work were included as part of the Fijian contingent to the
Pacific Festival of the Arts in Noumea, New Caledonia. He has since
found an enthousiastic audience in Australia for his unique and
sophisticated style, combining the traditional with the contemporary.
Recent works have taken on a more painterly aspect, moving towards a
deeper preoccupation with situating elements of ancestral mythology in
the constructed environment. Often combining layers of paint in lines
and patterns, these essentially graphic works have a distinctly filmic
reference. Fragmented text in two languages alludes to lost narrative,
a sense of foreboding and an incomplete warning. Fleeting glimpses, as
if seen from a car window or reflected off a passing building, give a
sense of landscape with no horizon, no edge.
Rusiate describes his artistic and cultural journey, encompassing both
Fijian tribal and Western iconography as “travelling along parallel
lines simultaneously”.
Rusiate is now represented by Gallery Gondawana in Sydney, Australia.
« Maxinquaye »
Friday 20 June
Free concerts took place in different spots of Suva downtown (Traps, Holyday Inn, O'reilly's, Dragon Music, Sukuna Park, Esquire…).
Amateurs and professionals played side by side in the original spirit of "La Fête de la Musique", which has been running for more than 20 years and has become a worldwide musical event.
Saturday 21 June in Ratu Sukuna Park
When: from 10am to 10pm
Where: Sukuna Park
Sukuna Park was invaded by the 2008 Vocalist Talent Quest! It was then
followed by free big concerts with major Fijian Bands and a Guest Band
from New Caledonia: Simply Roots
The Alliance Française thanks its main sponsor, FMF, for its great support!
Vocalist Talent Quest, 13 June
When: Friday 13 June at 4pm
Where: Alliance Française
A rehearsal organized for the finalists of the “2008 VTY Fijian Idol”.
It was opened to everybody interested to watch…and listen.
Music Workshop, from 8 May
When: every Wednesday, from 5.30pm to 9pm from May the 8th
Where: FIT school of Arts, Culture and Design
In the lead up to the World Music Fest in June, the Alliance française
organised free weekly music workshops in collaboration with FIT and the
music art council.
The workshop was opened to singers and musicians of all levels and
styles. For those already in a band, it provided a good opportunity to
perform on stage during a festival as well as getting feed back from
fellow musicians.
Songs created during workshop were performed during the music festival;
it was hence a great way to get exposure on the local music scene!
The Oceania Centre for Arts with the support of the Alliance Française de Suva and the French Embassy presented:
Where to Utopia
“Utopia”, an imagined perfect place or state of things is how man would
like his world to be. Such a world may have existed in the past or at
best in our minds. However, with the many new ideas and developments of
the modern world burgeoning, Utopia is now lost along with culture and
much of earth.
"Where to Utopia" basically speaks about Nature and the environment and
how man has tipped the balance by overworking nature and overusing
resources causing Mother Earth to hit back at us with devastation.
Debut Choreography by: Ateca Halamehi Ravuvu
Danced by the Oceania Dance Theatre,USP
Featuring BSQ – Biscuit Squad Dance Group
Art Installation by: Ben Fong
Music by: Calvin Rore et al.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the
Alliance Française du Suva organised the 2008 Environmental Film
Festival.It has been screened over three nights, from 2-4 June, at the
Alliance Française. The films were FOC, and complimentary drinks and
finger food was served.
MONDAY, 2 JUNE
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: Launch at 7.00pm
Pacific Conservation Showcase
This collection of short films will highlight the conservation
challenges facing our region, and showcase the actions being taken to
protect our precious natural environment in the Pacific.
A series of short films will be screened covering tuna fisheries in the
Solomon Islands “Time and Tuna”, the impacts of climate change on small
islands “Islands Going Under, Meltdown Fiji”, and community management
of coastal resources “Fiji Seascape, Mositi Vanuaso”. These films show
the human face of conservation in the Pacific, with a strong emphasis
on community-based action.
The conservation organisations of Suva will be attending, to answer questions and to join in the post-screening cocktail.
TUESDAY, 3 JUNE : “Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind”
Presented by the Embassy of Japan.
When : 7.30pm
Where: Alliance Française
Hayao Miyazaki's epic, environmentally conscious anime, takes viewers
on a voyage through time and space to the magical and dreamlike Valley
of the Wind, where good battles evil for the future of the human race.
Faced with almost certain destruction of her planet's natural
resources, the warrior Princess Nausicaa must rally her people against
an evil queen's brutal army to bring a new life to her homeland.
WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE Pacific Conservation Showcase/slide
When : 7.30pm
Where : Alliance Française
“You Get What You Give” (3 min)
For nearly 40 years, Greenpeace has raised the profile of environmental
issues through creative direct action. This short clip revisits the
highlights, including dramatic scenes from the Pacific.
“Climate Witness” (15 min)
This short film, produced by WWF, highlights the impacts of climate
change on local communities around the world, and includes footage from
the island of Kabara, Fiji.
“The Thin Green Line” (78 minutes)
The Thin Green Line tells the story of national park rangers around the
world. The film takes you off the tourist trail to ride with the
guardians of the world’s natural treasures as they encounter elephant
charges in South Africa, walk with armed patrols defending the Mountain
Gorillas of central Africa, and hang from a helicopter high above the
Rockies to pluck an injured hiker to safety.
The film was produced to raise funds for rangers in need, with
donations currently being distributed to the families of rangers killed
by poachers in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When: Tuesday 27 May, 7pm
Where: Alliance Française
Free entrance
These short films have been produced and directed by Aborigine artists
and cover aspects of Aboriginal history. Aborigines are considered the
oldest living continuous indigenous race on the planet and these short
films depict their struggle.
“History: An Untold Story” (15 min)
Documentary from an Aboriginal perspective on the impact of the European invasion on Indigenous Australians.
“Straight From the Yudaman’s Mouth” (28 min)
Television docudrama on tragic events in 1929-1930 on the Palm Island Aboriginal penal settlement.
“Common Ground” (30 min & 40 min)
Documentary on the sometimes contentious relationships between
Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Island communities in
Queensland, 1996
“Safe for the White Race” (28 min)
Documentary on the history of early tropical medicine and research in northern Australia health pioneer Dr. Anton Breinl.
Since he is a child, Laurent Lange is a photographer, since 20 years he is a professional lighting designer.
Since 2001, this ex-stage manager of the cultural centre Tjibaou is now
an independent lighting designer, travelling from a show to another,
from a stage to another, from a festival to a filming of pop video,
from dance to theatre…
Sometimes, he uses his free time to leave to open air; it’s the
opportunity for him to leave his eyes going around and to search the
landscape “fragments”.
Photo Exhibition: « Nomadic fragments » Laurent Lange
When: Launch Thursday 22 May, 6.30pm
Where: Alliance Française
Free entrance
“From my native Normandy, I imagined New Caledonia as a
white-sand-and-coconut-tree stereotype myth. I soon discovered that
there was so much more to the country’s environment. Although my first
New Caledonian photographs initially reflected the myth, they later
helped me avoid it.”
Through “Fragments Nomades”, “I have searched for the others New
Caledonia, the one you don’t often see in travel brochures: those
little details of nature that make her so special and yet are so
commonplace.”
Performing Arts Lighting Workshop with Laurent Lange
Using the example of contemporary dance
When: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May
Where: USP Ausaid Lecture, Theatre Hall
The workshop covered both aesthetic and technical aspects of performing art’s lighting
Open Forum with Laurent Lange
When: Friday 23 May, 5.30pm
Where: Alliance Française
Free entrance
This forum aims to provoke discussions and sharing of experiences on photography practicing.
When: Thursday 8 May, 6.30pm
Where: Alliance Française, 14 McGregor Road, Suva
Admission free
The Fiji Performing Right Society, with the support of the Alliance
française, organised a debate focusing on the question of the respect
of the copyrights in Fiji, and the consequences on the Fijian music
industry. A short film “talking copyrights” presented the testimonies
of several musicians, followed by a roundtable discussion involving the
different parties.
“The Alliance Française de Suva in partnership with Dragon Music, with
the support of FM96 and Legend FM, are organizing a Vocalist Talent
Quest on Saturday 21th June at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva.
The competition is open to every amateur singer between 9 and 25 years
old without any entry fees. The 20 finalists will perform with
professional bands during the Fiji Music Day and the three best singers
will win respectively 300$, 200$ and 100$! Participants can perform the
song they want in their mother language.
- First audition in the language you want
- Second audition must be in your mother language
- Final :
- 1st round in the language you want
- 2nd round must be in your mother language
- Last final must be in your mother language
Where: Alliance Française
When: Exhibit From Tuesday 15 April until Friday 25 April, 9.00am-5pm (Monday-Friday)
Admission free
Drawings exhibit: A selection of drawings made by the French comic
authors Lewis Trondheim and Emile Bravo and local illustrators during
the comic Festival will be exhibited at the Alliance française.
Kids & Teenagers Contest : Friday 18 April, 3.30 -7pm will be
organized at the AF. This time, kids and teenagers will draw by
themselves! Prices will be offered and an afternoon tea will be
provided. All welcome!
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
When: Thursday 10 April, 7.30pm
The Suva based Davui Ensemble (Lai Veikoso, Brenda Nanius – flute,
Suliana Saverio – violin, Irene Cloin – viola, Tara Mar – cello) will
play a programme of Pacific island tunes, European classical music,
Irish tunes and jazz.
Where: Alliance Française de Suva
The South African High Commission with the support of the Alliance
Française organizes a Film Festival at the occasion of the 14th
Anniversary of the South Africa freedom day.
Monday 7 April, 7pm:
"Yesterday" (2004, 94min, a drama directed by Darrell James Roodt)
Yesterday lives in Rooihoek, a remote village in South Africa's
Zululand. Her everyday life is not easy but she takes great joy in her
seven-year-old daughter, Beauty. The unsteadiness of Yesterday's life
is thrown when she is diagnosed with AIDS and must journey afar to
understand and confront her illness.
2005 Oscar Best foreign Films Nominee, "Truly inspiring" (Nelson Mandela)
Tuesday 8 April, 7.30pm
"Tsotsi" (2006, 94min, subtitled in English)), a drama directed by Gavin Hood
A drama tracing six days in the lonely, violent life of Tsotsi (meaning "thug"), a ruthless, young gang leader.
2006 Oscat Best Foreign Film
By placing the tale in contemporary Soweto and Johannesburg, South
Africa, Hood imbues the film with a sense of authenticity that makes
the movie seem more moving.
Wednesday 9 April, 7.30pm
"Sarafina" (1992, 96min), a musical directed by Darrell James Roodt with Whoopi Goldberg
A story of the courage and spirit of the children of South Africa's townships in their resistance to apartheid.
At the occasion of the Comic Festival’s closing, the Alliance Française
organizes with the support of the Suva library a series of screenings
as a tribute to adventure French novelist Jules Verne’s world.Come and
(re)discover with the whole family the charm of Hollywood adaptation
classics from the 50’s!
Friday 4, 3.30pm: Journey to the Center of the Earth, directed by Henry
Levin (1959, 129 min), with Janes Mason, Pat Boone, and Arlene Dahl The
story centers on an expedition led by Professor Lindenbrook (Mason)
down into the earth's dark, threat-laden core. Members of the group
include the professor's star student, Alec (Boone), and the widow
(Dahl) of a colleague. Along the way lurk dangers such as kidnapping,
death, sabotage by a rival explorer, and attacks by giant prehistoric
reptiles. "Remaining faithful to Verne's story, this is a sweeping
adventure that offers enough thrills and entertainment to satisfy every
explorer in the family. "
Saturday 5, 10.00am: 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, directed by Richard Fleisher (1954, 127 min) with Kirk Douglas and James Mason
The story: A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary
sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is
sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas)
survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run
by Captain Nemo (James Mason)."Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and
private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat
that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the
heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly
half a century later."
Saturday 5, 2.30pm: Mysterious Island (1961, 100 min), directed by Cy Endfield with Michael Craig and Joan Greenwood
The story: based on Verne's sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
this rousing Civil War-era fantasy begins when a band of Union war
prisoners (and one Confederate straggler) escape in a hot-air balloon,
which crash-lands on the titular island of mystery.
In 2008 the French Embassy and the Alliance Française in Fiji had
organized a festival celebrating the diversity of the Francophone world.
The BONJOUR Festival which took place between 27 March and 5 April 2008
in Suva and in the West of Fiji was the occasion for young and old
alike to discover the diversity and richness of the French language and
the "francophone" (French speaking) world.
A festival open for everyone, for the pleasure of the eye, ears and the taste buds.
Francophone Cabaret night
Join in celebrating, dancing and savouring Francophony during a cabaret nite at the Alliance Française!
On the menu a francophone inspired buffet from around the world, of
course from France with French wine, cheese and tasty breads prepared
by our baker from Nouméa Patrick, but also from Senegal (West Africa),
Libanon (Middle East), Madagascar (Indian Ocean), and French Polynesia.
The evening will begin with sounds from the Nouméa Classic Guitar
Quartet with its repertoire including South American pieces, and
classic French ones (Ravel, Debussy).
Two French comic illustrators, Lewis Trondheim and Emile Bravo will be
among the many local artists on the scene during this event and they
will be ready for live drawings. Then Mr Roger Lesgards will offer to
the audience a reading of a few poems from his recently published
collection "My Fiji" (bilingual French/Eglish)
Last but not least, make room and prepare to join the rigorous dance
rythyms of Francophone music from the Pacific, Africa and elsewhere !
With the support of Victoria Wines
Bread Festival
On the occasion of the BONJOUR FESTIVAL, a baker and Catering professor
from new Caledonia, Patrick Jarniac will be displaying the age-old art
of Bakery: baking bread.
The programme will comprise the tasting of different types of breads including croissant and viennoises.
Patrick Jarniac will take the opportunity while in Fiji to share his expertise with cookery students and local chefs.
With the assistance of the Southern Province authorities of New
Caledonia, the Chamber of Artisanal Crafts (CMA), the Artisanal
profession Union (UPA-NC), the Baker's syndicat and the confectionary
Bakery of New Caledonia (SBBP-NC) of the Lycée Jean XXIII School
Nouméa classical guitar quartet
The Cultural Service of the French Embassy with the support of the
Alliance Française de Suva invites the classic guitar quartet of the
territorial School of New Caledonia to come and perform in Fiji a
series of 3 concerts.
Conducted by Mr. Jean-Pierre Cabée, director of the School, the
quartet, made up of professors of the school, offers an eclectic
repertoire which allows the public to discover a vaste range of musical
possibilities.
The concert programme is as follows :
Pavane, Sicilienne … Gabriel FAURE
Estampes … Federico MORENO-TORROBA
Deux pièces brésiliennes … Paulo BELLINATI
Pavane pour une infante défunte … Maurice RAVEL
Doctor gradus ad parnassu, Clair de lune, Golliwogg’ cake- walk…Claude DEBUSSY
Paysage cubain sous la pluie … Leo BROUWER
Ellassomorph … Stephen FUN- PEARSON
With the assistance of the Territorial School of Music of New Caledonia
, the Southern Province, The Holiday Inn Suva and the Sofitel Fiji
Resort and Spa.
Comic Festival
Suva Library – from 27 March to 11 April – 10am-5pm -Free Entrance
To celebrate its centenary, the Library of Suva will host a weeklong comic festival in Fiji .
For the occasion, we will receive the visit of two renowned French
illustrators: Lewis Trondheim and Emile Bravo. The illustrators will be
present at the library to create designs and sign autographs.
For the entire week, young and old alike can view an exhibition,
produced by the Angoulême festival (the biggest comic festival in
Europe ), about Jules Verne (world wide well known French author of
adventure novels: "Michel Strogoff, 20000 leagues under the see,
etc…"). The exhibit consists of posters created by the most famous
French illustrators about the world of Jules Verne. Don’t miss it out
as its scenography will make you rediscover the Suva library!
Numerous animations will be available for children (costumes and games etc).
Thanks to the participation of the Embassy of Japan and the Embassy of
Korea, you can also discover the fantastic world of mangas and manwas.
With the assistance of the Embassy of Korea, the Embassy of Japan, Living in Fiji magazine and the Suva City Council
Francophonie Festival in Nadi-Lautoka
The Alliance française invites you to celebrate the Francophonie in the
West! The program: a cocktail with French bread, followed by the
screening of "La vie en rose" (to be confirmed), a movie directed by
Olivier Dahan (2006, 140 min) and devoted to the life of the famous
French singer Edith piaf. The actress Marion Cotillard won many awards
for her portrayal of Piaf.
