Nora Arnezeder in “Faubourg 36” showing in Ukraine under the name of “Paris, Paris!” (Courtesy photo) For a week starting Jan. 28, “French Movie Evenings” festival will be held in Ukraina cinema, offering some of the great new French films. The program features five movies: “Fabourg 36” (Paris 36), “LOL (Laughing Out Loud”), “Mes Stars Et Moi” (My Stars and I), “Louise-Michel” and “Cliente.”

In “Fabourg 36” by Christophe Barratier (“Les Choristes”), Pigoil, an aging manager of a Parisian music hall Chansonia, is charged with murder. And this fact is closely connected with the events of the 1936, a difficult year for Pigoil. At first, Pigoil discovered his wife was cheating on him. And then local mobster, Galapiat, closed down the Chansonia. After a few months, Pigoil and his friends managed to take over the music hall as a co-op and a young singing star Douce became their main hope for attracting attention of the audience.

“LOL (Laughing Out Loud)” revolves around 15-year-old Lola, known as “Lol” to friends. As Lol returns to school after a summer vacation, she breaks up with her boyfriend, who confesses he cheated on her, while her mother (Sophie Marceau) seems not to notice her daughter’s problems, too busy having an affair with her ex-husband.

“Mes Stars et Moi” (My Stars) is true to its name, featuring the major stars of French cinema – Catherine Deneuve and Emmanuelle Beart. Together with Melanie Bernier they basically play themselves – three famed French actresses, unsuspectingly sharing the attentions of a one extremely devoted fan. Through skilful manipulation, he manages to arrange for all three of his favorite women to appear in one movie.

The holder of the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival 2009, “Louise-Michel” is a strange black comedy. Ex-convict Louise hires a unfortunate loser named Michel to take revenge on her boss after her company is shut down. But things quicky get really confusing for both of them, one of the confusions being that neither is sure which sex he/she wants to be.

Famous French actress Josiane Balasko (“Arlette”) started making films as a director in the mid-80s and has already collected a number of awards and nominations. Her latest work, “Cliente,” is actually based on her own novel. Judith, a successful TV presenter by day, spends her nights with young handsome gigolos. At some point she hires a young man, who is likewise leading a double life: he’s happily married and his wife has no idea how he makes his money.

Ukraina
5 Horodetskoho, 279-6750, www.kino-ukraina.com.ua.
Jan. 28 until Feb. 3. For showtimes see Movies at www.kyivpost.com.