Festival Champlain du Film Francophone / Champlain Film Festival
Discover today’s cinema in the French-speaking world
October 20-21, 2023 in Portland, ME
Join us for two days of movies, en francais (with English subtitles!). From Quebec to France or French-speaking Africa, the Festival Champlain brings you stories and perspectives from the four corners of the French-speaking world.
All screenings are free to the public. Register to save your spot today!
Film Schedule
Friday October 20, PMA, Portland
3PM - 5PM
Au revoir le bonheur/Goodbye happiness (2021, Quebec)
by Ken Scott with Francois Arnaud, Antoine Bertrand and Louise Morissette
Overview: Four brothers meet in the country house of their childhood on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, after the death of their father. As their reunion begins to go hilariously off the rails, the brothers rediscover the power of their family bond, and the effort it takes to maintain it.
5:45PM - 8PM
En corps/Rise by Cedric Klapish (2022, France)
with Marion Barbeau, Hofesh Shechter and Denis Podalydes
Overview: Elise, a very promising classical dancer, is injured during a performance at 26 years old. Although she's told she will no longer be able to dance, she will try to find a new direction in contemporary dance.
Saturday October 21, Talbot Hall, USM, Portland
10AM - 11AM
Chien pourri, la vie à Paris (2020, France)
animated film by Stéphane Aubier, Davy Durand and Vincent Patard
Overview: Once upon a time, there was a naive and passionate Parisian dog named Chien Pourri, who liked to roam the streets of Paris with his nose to the wind. Follow the crazy adventure of Chien Pourri and his friends who will make you discover the poetry of Paris!
11AM - 1:15PM
Twist a Bamako/Dancing the twist in Bamako (2021, France, Canada, Senegal)
by Robert Guediguian with Stephane Bak, Alice Da Luz and Saabo Balde
Overview: Set in the early 1960s, as Mali’s capital city celebrates the country’s independence from French colonial rule, the idealistic Samba works toward creating a more just nation by day and dances to Otis Redding and the Supremes with his spirited girlfriend, Lara, by night.
1:45PM - 3:45PM
Un Petit Frère/Mother and son by Leonor Serraille (2022, France)
with Annabelle Lengronne, Stéphane Bak, Ahmed Sylla
Overview: In the late 1980s, Rose moves from the Ivory Coast to Paris with her two young sons. Spanning 20 years from their arrival in France to the present day, the film is the moving chronicle of the construction and deconstruction of a family.
4PM - 6PM
Mon crime / The crime is mine (2023, France)
with Rebecca Marder, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Isabelle Hupert, Dany Boon, Fabrice Luchini
Overview: French comedy directed by Francois Ozon. Set in the 1930s, the film follows a penniless actress who gains notoriety after getting acquitted of murder for self-defense. Then begins a life of glory and success, until truth comes to light.
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Reception at the Custom House, Portland
Around the films:
- Saturday October 21, our screening of “Chien Pourri, la vie a Paris” will be followed by a children's activity around the theme of the film.
- Saturday October 21, reception at the Custom House, Portland 6.30pm - 8.30pm
- Educational activity packets around the themes of two films in our selection will be developed and shared in September with all French teachers in the Portland area, so they can integrate the festival to their lesson plan and engage students on core questions raised by the films.
Donate to the Festival Champlain
Can’t attend but want to support intercultural exchange in the Portland area and New England in general? Festival Champlain welcomes donations! Your support is what helps us keep this event free to the public!
Thank you to our sponsors
