Spring Programming Announced At The French Institute Alliance Fran Aise

The US premiere of an acclaimed theatrical adaptation, an immersive exhibition created out of recycled and high-tech materials, screenings of two new French films, and a cross-cultural talk celebrating French icons are highlights this spring at the French Institute Alliance Fran aise (FIAF).

As New York's premier French cultural and language center, FIAF is dedicated to presenting innovative works and ideas by inspiring artists and thinkers from all over the Francophone world. The next several months offer engaging programs in Florence Gould Hall, its first-floor gallery, and the intimate Skyroom.

At the center of FIAF's spring season is The Heart, a one-night-only presentation of the award-winning French play adapted from Maylis de Kerangal's best-selling novel, R parer les vivants. Starring and directed by Emmanuel Noblet, FIAF's presentation on May 8 marks the 300th performance of this theatrical gem, a poetic interpretation of a 24-hour race against time to successfully transplant a human heart.

On view from May 1 to June 1 in the FIAF Gallery, the exhibition Fabrications presents the work of Elodie Blanchard, a multifaceted French-born artist currently working in New York. Employing materials from threads and fibers to recycled cloth and high-tech textiles, Blanchard creates whimsical and inviting environments for viewers to explore. In conjunction with this show she will also offer a pair of art-making workshops for families.

Continuing its collaboration with Focus on French Cinema, FIAF will present the closing evening of the 2019 festival with a pair of new French comedies on Tuesday, April 30. Les Invisibles (2018), at 4pm, has been wildly successful in France for its humorous yet sensitive look at a women's shelter on the verge of closing. Screening at 7:30pm, L'Amour flou (2018) documents the conscious uncoupling of a once romantic relationship. A closing party and reception follows.

This spring also offers an intimate luncheon celebrating Art and Wine at Versailles. Ch teau de Versailles director Catherine P gard and owner of Ch teau Mouton Rothschild Philippe de Rothschild will discuss their institutions' shared legacy of commissioning some of the greatest artists of their time. Several of Ch teau de Rothschild's unparalleled wines will be served with lunch.

Tickets to these events can be purchased at fiaf.org. A chronological listing of events follows.

FIAF:Talks
Art and Wine at Versailles
Tuesday, April 23 at 12:30pm
FIAF Skyroom

Honoring more than 400 years of art, wine, and the Ch teau de Versailles, Catherine P gard, president of the Ch teau de Versailles, and Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Ch teau Mouton Rothschild, will join for an intimate conversation and luncheon delving into the cultural history of this iconic landmark. Philippe de Montebello, Director Emeritus of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will moderate. This talk centers around the recent creation of Mouton Rothschild's limited edition Versailles Celebration cases, featuring labels designed by five celebrated contemporary artists who have exhibited at the palace: Jeff Koons, Giuseppe Penone, Anish Kapoor, Bernar Venet, and Lee Ufan. The cases will be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York on May 4 to raise funds for the restoration of the Ch teau de Versailles. Ch teau Mouton Rothschild 2005 and Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2010 will be served with lunch.

More information is available here

FOCUS ON FRENCH CINEMA 2019
Tuesday, April 30
Florence Gould Hall
In partnership with the 15th edition of Focus on French Cinema, running from April 26 to 30, FIAF will present closing-night screenings of two new French comedies, as well as a closing-night party.

INVISIBLES (LES INVISIBLES) 4pm
Dir. Louis-Julien Petit, 2018, 102 minutes, DCP
With Audrey Lamy, Corinne Masiero, No mie Lvovsky, D borah Lukumuena
In French with English subtitles

When a town in France decides to close a homeless shelter for women, the social workers have only three months to help the residents get back on their feet and reintegrate into society. Inspired by a book and documentary by author/filmmaker Claire Lajeune, director Louis-Julien Petit cast well-known comedic actors alongside nonprofessional ones, including a few women who appeared in Lajeune's film. The result is a story that humorously honors the resiliency of the human spirit while poignantly bringing attention to an underserved community.

More information is available here.

IN THE MOVE FOR LOVE (L'AMOUR FLOU) and
Focus on French Cinema Closing-Night Party 7:30pm
Dir, Romane Bohringer, Philippe Rebbot, 2018, 97min, DCP
With Romane Bohringer, Philippe Rebbot, Rose and Raoul Rebbot-Bohringer, Reda Kateb
In French with English subtitles

After 10 years together, two children, and a dog, Romane and Philippe find that they have fallen out of love. But they still love each other. Rather than separate completely, they decide to build a separtment : two distinct living spaces connected through the children's room. A play on the phrase l'amour fou, crazy love, (which was also the title of a 1969 Jacques Rivette film), L'Amour Flou translates to uncertain love, which Romane and Philippe navigate with comedic flair. Obscuring fact and fiction, it stars the real-life couple Romane Bohringer as Rose and Philippe Rebbot as Raoul whose own long-term relationship broke up.

More information is available here.

FIAF:Visual Art
Elodie Blanchard: Fabrications
Wednesday, May 1 Saturday, June 1
FIAF Gallery

French-born, New York based artist Elodie Blanchard brings both whimsy and playfulness to the FIAF Gallery in the exhibition Fabrications. In her practice, Blanchard builds upon her experience as a designer to create colorful installations, structures, masks, and fantastical objects out of unusual textiles and unconventional materials, as well as waste that accumulates while designing fabric and creating fiber installations. This four-part exhibition brings together intricate felt masks representing the breadth of human emotion, a new large-scale wall installation created for FIAF using hand-stitched plastic textiles, colorful twisting trees sculpted out of scraps, and soft ottomans and throw pillow fashioned out of the textiles she designs herself. This exhibition is part of a focus on New York based Francophone artists in the FIAF Gallery.

In conjunction with the gallery show, Blanchard will lead two interactive workshops for families on Saturday, May 4, and Saturday, June 1, both from 11:30am 1pm. Kids will be invited to use recycled materials and threads to form their own colorful masks.

More information is available here.

FIAF:Theater
US Premiere: The Heart (R parer les vivants)
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 7:30pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th Street

Based on the novel by Maylis de Kerangal, The Heart is a poignant reflection on life, death, and the generosity that emerges during these profound moments. Actor/director Emmanuel Noblet stars in his own adaption of the novel as Simon, a 19 year old who suffers a fatal surfing accident. This sets off a race against time to save the life of 50-year-old Claire, who desperately needs a heart transplant. Told through a tapestry of voices including medical staff, family, friends, donors, and recipients, the story unfolds over the 24-hour cutoff in which the transplant must be completed. It simultaneously unearths the complex emotions and ethical questions that are raised by The Miracles of modern medicine.

This acclaimed production won the 2017 Moli re Award for Solo Performance and has been described by Le Figaro as absolutely remarkable breathtaking and deeply moving theater that leads us to reflect on the most important questions we can ask ourselves.

The presentation at FIAF Florence Gould Hall marks the 300th performance of this production.

Presented with support from The Laura Pels Foundation for Theater.

More information is available here.