UN+UNE Equals Love

Antoine (Jean Dujardin) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written by

Jude Bautista

For the first time Alice (Alice Pol) rendered Antoine (Jean Dujardin) speechless when she asked him to get married. Now on the phone she asked about it again. All Antoine could say, “Its all I think about.” Just as he puts the phone down there was a frantic knock on his hotel room door. It was the ambassador’s wife Anna (Elsa Zylberstein), crying. “My husband and I had a fight. He kicked me out of the house. He said I couldn’t stop staring at you.” Over the dinner reception they disagreed about everything. He often laughed at her notions of mysticism, unity with the universe, her fascination for Indian religion, philosophy. Antoine couldn’t explain it to himself, no matter how hard he tried to deny it. He was drawn to this mysterious, unconventional woman.

Center: Amb. Thierry Mathou from left: French Audio Visual Attache Martin Macalintal, Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose, Mdme. Cecile Mathou & FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

UN+UNE starring Oscar winning actor Jean Dujardin of THE ARTIST fame is part of the 21^st French Film Festival. A total of 17 films will be screened starting from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas.

from right: SOLAR Ent Pres. & CEO Wilson Tieng, w IMBISIBOL grp: Krisma Maclang Fajardo, Lawrence Fajardo and Asst. Dir. Charita Castinlag. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

During Independence Day on June 12, the festival renews its tradition of putting the spotlight on Filipino films through the screening of two local films that have been featured at international film festivals in France: Lawrence Fajardo’s IMBISIBOL and Carl Joseph Papa’s animated film, MANANG BIRING.

Rahul is real life filmmaker Rahul Vohra. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

In UN+UNE Jean Dujardin plays Antoine Abeilard a multi awarded, world-renowned composer and musical scorer. His good friend Rahul Abhi invites him to score his latest masterpiece in India. Rahul happens to be a famous Indian actor and filmmaker in real life (Rahul Vohra). Because Abeilard’s reputation precedes him he is feted by the French Ambassador Samuel Hamon played by Christopher Lambert. Anna is the ambassador’s young wife who is taken with the dashing and famous composer.

from left: Amb Samuel Hamon (Christopher Lambert) & Rahul (Rahul Vohra). Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

A lot of older film fans may remember Christopher Lambert in the sci-fi action hit HIGHLANDER trilogy. He is one of a few immortals on earth who can die only by decapitation battling other immortals. He was supposed to be Scottish in that film. Lambert makes use of his flawless French here. He was born in the U.S. to his father who was a U.N. diplomat assigned to Switzerland. Educated in Geneva, he was bitten by the acting bug and went at the Paris Conservatoire where he stayed for 2 years.

Catch UN+UNE in the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Legendary Italian actor Venantino Venantini plays Antoine’s father. The character is half Italian and is a struggling musician. When he comes back from India, Antoine is able to relate with his father realizing they have a lot more in common. The role is perfect for Vanantini as an Italian living in Paris.

India is more than a backdrop. The land, the people and experiences shape the French characters. It was also very interesting to see quite a number of Indians fluent in French in the former British colony.

Antoine (Jean Dujardin) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Director Calude Lelouch was very truthful in portraying the exotic location. The decrepit train system, even the polluted Ganges were shown side by side with the millions of religious devotees. But rather than disgust the French, it draws them in even more. There is this sense of spirituality, freedom from the concerns of this material world that both Anna and Antoine discover.

Anna (Elsa Zylberstein) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

UN+UNE is a journey of discovering what love is. Why do we choose to believe the things we believe in? When we do find love what do we do with it?

Real Life guru Amma meets Antoine (Jean Dujardin) & Anna (Elsa Zylberstein) in UN+UNE. Photo from http://www.amritapuri.org/19625/15french.aum

They go on a pilgrimage to meet Amma each of them have their own reason. Mata Amritanandamayi is a real life guru in India more popularly known as Amma. Her philosophy of love and caring for each person regardless of status, race and gender has influenced millions around the world. Amma has a daily ritual of embracing at least a thousand people each day. Thousands do fall in line this simple but sincere symbol of affection. The two are profoundly affected by the experience.

For the screening schedule, visit www.frenchfilmfest.com. Share your French Film Festival story on social media using the hashtag #FrenchFilmFest21.

Film synopses, reviews, and the screening schedule are also easily available on your smartphone by downloading the French Film Festival app powered by ThinkBIT on Apple Store and Google Play.

3rd from right: Amb. Thierry Mathou, from left: Primer Group AVP Darwin Bañez, French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, (partially hidden) French Cultural Affairs Counselor Yves Zoberman, Peugeot Phil Pres. Glen Dasig, SSI Pres. Anton Huang, Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose, Mdme. Cecile Mathou and FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila.

The 21^st French Film Festival is presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Institut Français, the Alliance française de Manille and Cebu, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, the SSI Group, Inc., Central Square, and with the support of Lacoste, Beauty Bar, Diptyque, Marks and Spencer, L’Occitane, Oliviers & Co., Peugeot Philippines, Delsey, Kickers, Sledgers, ThinkBIT, Cinema One Originals, Pioneer Films, Solar Entertainment Corp., TeamApp, Inc., Bizu, Don Papa, Le Cellier, Sommelier, Taters, Chimara, Marithé François Girbaud, and our media partners Expat Newspaper, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, the ABS-CBN News Channel, CNN Philippines, Art Plus Magazine, L’Officiel Manila, Mellow 94.7 Sounds Good, Gist.ph, Spot.ph and WhenInManila.com.

Real Life guru Amma hugs Anna (Elsa Zylberstein) in UN+UNE. Photo from http://www.amritapuri.org/19625/15french.aum

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MA’ROSA stars Maria Isabel Lopez in her famous green dress and Jomari Angeles. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Sanjay (Abhishek Krishnan) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: PDI Columnist Dolly Ann Carvajal and CNN Phil Reporter Isabella Montano. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Orchestra syncs music with Ayanna (Shriya Pilgaonkar) on screen. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila.

Summit Media Editorial Dir Myrza Sison; Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Amma’s followers; Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jorge Bocobo and Chi Datu-Bocobo; Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Ayanna (Shriya Pilgaonkar) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ramon & Silvana Diaz; Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila.

MA’ROSA stars from left: Jomari Angeles, Natileigh Sitoy and Screenwriter Troy Espiritu. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Alice (Alice Pol) in UN+UNE. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

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MA’ROSA cast standing from left: Larry Castillo, John Paul Duray, Maria Isabel Lopez, Mark Anthony Fernandez, (partially hidden) French Cultural Affairs Counselor Yves Zoberman, Jaclyn Jose, Jomari Angeles, Natileigh Sitoy, Cataleya Surio, Cindy Briones bottom row from left: Raymond Rinoza, Aaron Rivera, Carlo Valenzona, Luis Ruiz, Mac Mendoza, French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal and friend. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila.

Dexter Matilla meets Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose. Catch the 21st French Film Festival from June 8 to 14, 2016 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas and the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. The fest includes Pinoy films IMBISIBOL & MANANG BIRING on June 12 at Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista