new release

France | 2008 | col | 120 mins | dir. Christophe Barratier, with Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad, Nora Arnezeder | cert. 12

From Christophe Barratier, the director of Les Choristes (The Chorus), comes an equally charming musical comedy about a group of local performers who stop at nothing to keep the magic of theatre alive. 1936, a north-east suburb of Paris. The springtime election of a left-wing government brings wild new hopes, yet also sees the rise of extremist ideas. As the film opens, mounting debts at the neighbourhood music hall mean the proprietorship passes to the local mob boss, who promptly closes it down. Depressed and running out of money, newly-unemployed stagehand Pignoil (Gérard Jugnot) and his friends Milou (Clovis Cornillac), a proud idealist, and Jacky (Kad Merad), a flawed comedian, decide to stand up to the mobster, occupy the theatre and return it to its glory days. Their line-up of amateur cabaret and half-baked comedy looks decidedly lacklustre until the beautiful Douce (Nora Arnezeder) walks into the auditions, and their fortunes start to change... A delightful musical comedy, featuring a charming ensemble cast and some spectacular musical numbers, Paris 36 is a heart-warming reminder of the power of community and the romance of the stage.

WWW paris36movie.co.uk

  Paris 36: English-subtitled Trailer

Gala preview screening of Paris 36 on 10 January 2009

Exclusive Release -  Screening times

** Members' screening: Institut français members, come along to the 8.30pm screening on Tuesday 27 January and see the film for £5 with a complimentary drink beforhand from 7.45pm. One guest per member.
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