Ready, Set, French!

April 4, 2019

Le French Festival 2019 is finally here to wow Malaysians!

Kuala Lumpur – Time to binge on all things French with Malaysia’s grandest French cultural festival, the 18^th edition of Le French Festival now live and ready to offer Malaysians an exuberant line-up of French acts and programmes from 4^th April to 12^th May.

Organised by Alliance Française (AF) and the Embassy of France in Malaysia, festival-goers from all walks of life will have the opportunity to tantalise all five senses with a variety of programmes including exciting acts direct from France, an inaugural Malaysian production of French culture and heritage, a variety of French film screenings, gastronomy, immersive workshops and more.

At the opening ceremony, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Zatashah, President of Alliance Française Kuala Lumpur (AFKL) promised that this year’s festival will be the a first of its kind to allow for this level of the cross-over of cultures – spurring the collaboration with the nationally acclaimed theatre company in Malaysia, KL Shakespeare Players (KLSP) to produce a local production of arguably the most famous play in French theatre, “Cyrano de Bergerac” (“The Story of Cyrano de Bergerac”) performed by talented Malaysian-French artists.

Y.A.M. Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, President of Alliance Française Kuala Lumpur, expressing her excitement for what Le French Festival 2019 has to offer.

“This year, having the honour to play the role as a “producer” has given us the opportunity to transform a heavy French classic into a piece that resonates with a larger audience where one version is designed specifically for children,” said Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Zatashah.

Mr. Jacques Bounin, Director of AFKL, reaffirms the significant role LFF 2019 plays in creating a bridge for dynamic cultural exchange as the French language progressively grounds itself as a global language that empowers one to travel, study abroad, work internationally, and develop businesses in emerging countries.

“With French ranked as the sixth most-widely spoken language in the world, there’s no denying its importance in this day and age. It is our mission to introduce the French culture to Malaysia that would help expand horizons through an immersive platform that educates, entertains, and edifies,” shared Mr. Jacques Bounin.

Curating a fresh selection of programmes annually, LFF 2019 strives to tear down stereotypical depiction of the French culture by Hollywood with the offering of a broader take on the life and culture beyond the city of lights (Paris), benefiting and educating culture enthusiasts with a wider and more authentic depth of the French culture.

This edition of LFF will also feature the most current trends and entertainment from France including:

The largest French Film Festival in Malaysia with 15 of the latest award winning French films (with English subtitles)
A diverse range of Malaysian musicians performing French music
Live theatre shows and dance performances
Art de Vivre events including food & drink tastings, cooking classes and much more!

Some other exhilarating highlights to look forward to at LFF 2019 include:

“FUNAN” – Enjoy the French animated film that won Best Movie Award at the Annecy Animated Film Festival 2018, written and directed by talented French filmmaker Denis Do.
“Paris, by Lorànt Deutsch” – Take a walk along the Seine river with renowned French actor and writer Lorànt Deutsch in a lively theatre show.
“Exit” – A humorous and frivolous extraordinary hip-hop performance, by Art Move Concept.
“Brave New World” Pop Art Exhibition – Marvel at contemporary French artist Argadol’s masterpieces created exclusively for Le French Festival 2019 that depict current global challenges through visually stunning Pop and Street Art.
Artisan bread workshops with PAUL – Learn to make French breads first-hand from the Master Bakers of PAUL, the Ambassador of the French art de vivre.

“French culture is steeped in a robust heritage and history that evolves seamlessly with age and time, birthing new culture and trends that resonates with different perspectives and experiences. Diversity is a trend that never ceases to amaze, and when fully embraced, it will advance mindsets to be more globalised and accepting of differences,” shared H.E. Mr Frédéric Laplanche, Ambassador of France to Malaysia who was also present at the opening ceremony.

Mr. Frédéric Laplanche, Ambassador of France to Malaysia, giving an edifying speech on the importance of Le French Festival 2019 as a platform for cultural exchange.

Presented for the first time by G. H. Mumm Champagne, the No. 1 Grande Maison champagne in France, and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) as a longstanding collaborator and partner of the French Film Festival, LFF 2019 is also made possible with the support of various Malaysian and French sponsors and partners including:

Sponsors

G.H. MUMM, Sofitel KL Damansara, Pullman KLCC, Novotel KLCC, Mercure KL Shaw Parade, Air France, Thalgo, Peugeot, Airbus, Atalian, BNP Paribas, Danone, Naval Group, CCI France Malaysia – CCIFM, ESCATEC, Intermovers, Paul, and Vinci.

Partners

Brew n Brush, Chez Gaston, Club Med, , Hotel Equatorial Penang, Istana Budaya, Kamerata Kuala Lumpur, KL Shakespeare Players, Institut Français, Malongo, Monin, Nathalie Gourmet Studio, Opika, SOL Wellness, Tina Barrat, Damansara Performing Arts Center (DPAC), Gallery des Artistes, MATIC, No Black Tie, Pavilion KL.

For more information, please visit www.lefrenchfestival.com.my or its Facebook page facebook.com/lefrenchfestivalmy.