Francophonie lovers of Singapore, this one is for you!
This March, come celebrate the French language in all its diversity with a mix & match of fun events and gatherings. Award-winning and Oscar-nominated movie, iconic comics, comedy and mime shows, topical conferences… You name it!
This year again, Alliance Française is teaming up with the embassies of France, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland along with the Lycée Français to bring you the best of Francophone culture: Directors, artists, politician, comedian and more will contribute further to the unique and vibrant local cultural scene.With no less than 3 conferences, 8 premiere movies, 2 workshops, 1 exhibition and 2 shows on stage there is definitely something for everyone during the Francophonie Festival.
Francophonie Day
Saturday, 23 March @ Alliance Française de Singapour
The Francophone world in Singapore will gather on 23 March at Alliance Française to celebrate the Day of la Francophonie. The Alliance will again welcome booths featuring games and food from the participating Francophone countries. La médiathèque will be under the spotlight, driving the game “Dis-moi dix mots”. In collaboration with French Teachers in Singapore, the embassies of Belgium, Switzerland and France and the High Commission of Canada, and thanks to the dedication of individuals from different francophone communities, the event will bring together the most festive elements of the Francophonie culture.
3pm – 5.30pm | The Francophone world in Singapore will gather on 23 March at Alliance Française to celebrate the Day of la Francophonie. The Alliance will again welcome booths featuring games and food from the participating Francophone countries. La médiathèque will be under the spotlight, driving the game “Dis-moi dix mots”. In collaboration with French Teachers in Singapore, the embassies of Belgium, Switzerland and France and the High Commission of Canada, and thanks to the dedication of individuals from different francophone communities, the event will bring together the most festive elements of the Francophonie culture.
5.30pm – 6.30pm | Celebrations will continue with a performance by Laurent Décol, master in the art of mime. The show will be followed by a Q&A with the artist and Hossan Leong.
6.30pm – 7.30pm | We will hold the Prize Giving Ceremony of the Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw Challenge Cup and the 28th French Alumni French Language Award.
7.30pm – 8.30 | We bring the celebration to a close with a delicious apéro in the lobby.
In collaboration with French Teachers of Singapore, the embassies of Belgium, Switzerland and France and the High Commission of Canada, and thanks to the dedication of individuals from different Francophone communities, the event brings together the most festive elements of the Francophone culture. A unique opportunity to see how rich and varied the members of La Francophonie are!
Cinema – FRANCOPHONIE FESTIVAL MOVIES
Francophonie is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for cinephiles who will feast on our handpicked selection of Francophone movies (France, Canada, Belgium, Burkina Faso…), all of them Singapore premieres.
SAUVER OU PÉRIR (THROUGH THE FIRE)
Thursday, 14 March – 8pm @ Alliance française de Singapour
Rating: M18 – Some nudity. Relevant ID to be presented at the door for verification
In French, with English subtitles
France, 2018, 116minsDirector: Frédéric Tellier
Cast: Pierre Niney, Anaïs Demoustier, Vincent Rottiers
Genre: DramaSynopsis: Franck is a young firefighter leader. He lives in the fire station with his wife and their baby twins, waiting for his true baptism of fire. When the much-awaited day arrives, the worst happened: Franck tempts to rescue his team and remains trapped by the flames. He escapes death miraculously but agonising, completely burned outside and inside. He will have to pick himself up through pain and fear and get used to his new face, his diminishment and the new gaze of others. He will not have the choice but to dedicate the rest of his life rebuilding and accepting himself.
$16.00 (AF members) ; $19.00 (Non-members)
You are cordially invited to the opening of #Spirou4rights at 7pm before attending the screening.
ENCORDÉS (ROPED UP)
Friday, 15 March – 8pm @ Alliance française de Singapour
Rating: PG
In French, with English subtitles
Switzerland, 2017, 106minsDirector: Frédéric Favre
Cast: Florence Beffa, Guillaume Clavien, Antoine Willberg
Genre: DocumentarySynopsis: Florence wants to take part in memory of her father, but she is not used to engage in a team. Guillaume is an accomplished competitor. He struggles to find a balance between family, work and passion for the mountains. Antoine has just left rehab. Now he’s eager to prove his worth to the world. A raw and intimate journey into the three protagonists’ innermost motivations and the story of how this adventure transforms them. For one and a half years, film director Frédéric Favre follows three ski mountaineers as they prepare for the “Patrouille des Glaciers”, an incredibly tough race across the Swiss Alps.
$13.00 (AF members) and $15.00 (Non-members)
L’OPÉRA (THE PARIS OPERA)
Saturday, 16 March – 8pm @ Alliance française de Singapour
Rating: PG
In French, with English subtitles
France, Switzerland, 2017, 110minsDirector: Jean-Stéphane Bron
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: At the Paris Opera, backstage, artists and crew prepare to raise the curtain on a new season with Schönberg’s Moses and Aaron. But the announcement of a strike and the arrival of a bull in a supporting role complicate matters. At the same time, a promising young Russian singer begins at the Opera’s Academy. In the hallways of Opéra Bastille, his destiny will cross paths with that of Bryn Terfel, one of the greatest voices of his time. In turn, ironic, light-hearted and cruel, encompassing music and ballet, the Paris Opera turns the spotlight on great passions.Best Documentary Film 2018, Swiss Film Award 2018
$13.00 (AF members) and $15.00 (Non-members)
L’INVISIBLE ESSENCE : LE PETIT PRINCE (INVISIBLE ESSENCE : THE LITTLE PRINCE)
Tuesday, 19 March – 8.00pm @ Alliance française de Singapour
Rating: TBC – Please wait for the rating to be published before buying tickets for 21 years old and below. Relevant ID to be presented at the door for verification
In French, with English subtitles
Canada, France, 2018, 90minsDirector: Charles Officer
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: A tribute to the author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this documentary explores the legacy of world-famous book The Little Prince, 75 years after its initial publication. Using the theme “What is essential is invisible to the eye”, the film is a cinematic meditation on the essence of humanity. Reflecting on this theme and characters in the book, the film explores a range of critical perspectives and ideas that illuminate who we have become, what we have learned, and how we exist in the world today.Screening followed by a Q&A with Charles Officer, Director of the movie, and Claude Garrandès, President of Arrimage Association who edited the book “The Little Prince” in relief and in Braille.
$13.00 (AF members) ; $15.00 (Non-members)
L’OEIL DU CYCLONE (EYE OF THE STORM)
Thursday, 21 March – 8pm @ Alliance française de Singapour
Rating: TBC – Please wait for the rating to be published before buying tickets for 21 years old and below. Relevant ID to be presented at the door for verification
In French, with English subtitles
France, Burkina Faso, 2015, 100minsDirector: Sekou Traoré
Cast: Maimouna Ndiaye, Fargass Assandé, Abidine Dioari
Genre: DramaSynopsis: Emma is a young lawyer and the daughter of a former manager working for a diamond-mining company. During her childhood, a rebel movement broke out and occupied the mining areas. Facing the atrocities committed by the rebels, Emma and her family were forced to flee. Years later, she is asked to defend Blackshouam, one of the war criminals from the rebellion. Her instinct pushes her to refuse the advocacy. Is it right to defend one’s own tormentor? Is it possible to save an ex-child soldier who only knows violence? Driven by the ideal of justice, she accepts the case, at the expense of her own life and career.
$13.00 (AF members) ; $15.00 (Non-members)
Discussion & Talks
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Wednesday, 13 March – 6pm @ Alliance Française de Singapour – le théâtre
© Justine Emard / Adagp, Paris 2018
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics will soon permeate every domain in our society and every aspect in our daily life, bringing new relationships between humans and technology. The advance of AI in domains such as autonomous driving, facial identification or healthcare and the developments of humanoid robots with autonomous behaviors and maybe soon emotions bring key interrogations and ethical issues for research, economic implementation or societal impact of AI and robotics.
These questions will be addressed in a discussion between two well-known scientists:
The event will also feature a screening of the video artwork “Co(AI)xistence” (2017) by French artist Justine Emard with Japanese actor and dancer Mirai Moriyama and the robot Alter (developed by Ishiguro lab, Osaka University and Ikegami Lab, Tokyo University).
Free admission | The discussion will be conducted in English.
TALK WITH CHRISTIANE TAUBIRA
Monday, 18 March – 7pm @ Alliance Française de Singapour, le théâtre
“Sometime resisting means staying, sometimes it means leaving. For self-faithfulness. To give ethics and Law the last word.”
Christiane Taubira is a French author and a left-wing politician. By turns, she held different positions of high importance within the French and European politics scene of the past 30 years. In 2012, she was designated Minister of Justice under President Hollande. She spearheaded the law named after her, leading to the recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity, adopted by the French Parliament in 2001, and the law legalising same-sex marriage in France, adopted in 2013. In 2016, openly disagreeing over a President Hollande’s policy, she resigned from the Ministry and published her last book, Murmur to the Youth. A public figure and a woman of letters, she comes to discuss how her combats for Equality, Memoir and Liberty have infused her own literature.
Featuring Christiane Taubira
Moderated by Sébastien Bonnemason-RichardTalk conducted in French with English translation
Free admission
COPORATE TALK | Understanding the cultural differences between French & Singaporeans
Friday, 29 March – 8:30am – 10:30am @ Alliance Française de Singapour, la galerie
Communication and interaction can be challenging due to cultural differences. This morning talk is aimed to share experiences and learn more on how to improve relationships in a Francophone corporate environment in Singapore.
About the Speaker: Pierre DUFFIÉ, French Teacher & Trainer at Alliance Française de Singapour. Having graduated from ESSEC Business School and from the University of Grenoble with a Master’s degree in “Teaching French as a second or foreign language”, Pierre has extensive expertise in teaching French in a business environment. With more than 15 years of experience (including 9 years at Alliance Française de Singapour), Pierre has frequently encountered situations of cultural gaps in Francophone companies and he would be very pleased to share his experience and advice.
Ticketing: $15
JOURNÉES PRESSE & FRANCOPHONIE
More info on LFS website
Shows
TIMOTHÉ POISSONNET – DANS LE BOCAL
Monday, 11 March – 8pm @ Alliance Française de Singapour, le théâtre
Just like today’s zapping culture, Timothé Poissonnet surprises us in his one-manshow with his unique style: sequential humor. He presents us in a frenzied satirical whirlwind a multitude of funny situations, and embarks us instantaneously
in a corrosive universe, where the absurd meets reality. “The sketches of this lover of the French language honor the great names of French literature. All of this at a high energy pace, mirroring society “ – Ouest FranceTickets: $55.00 (Early bird tickets: until 27 January at 11:55pm or until early birds are sold-out); $70.00 (Standard tickets)
Show conducted in French.
LAURENT DÉCOL – MIME ARTIST
Saturday, 23 March – 5.30pm – 6.20pm @ Alliance Française de Singapour, le théâtre
As much representative of the French patrimony than baguettes and bérets, mime is a rare and ancient art of the entertainment world. Laurent Décol, master in the art, gives it a new lease of life and invites you to enter his universe and share
his passion through a show and workshops.
Alone on stage, Laurent Décol creates a whole universe, as invisible as palpable. Call upon your imagination and let yourself moved by the characters and situations, sometimes pathetic, sometimes funny, but always poetic.the show: Bouche Cousue (Don’t Breathe A Word)
Free admission
WORKSHOPS
LAURENT DÉCOL – MIME ARTIST
Friday, 22 March from 4pm – 5.30pm & Saturday, 23 March from 10am – 11.30am @ Alliance française de Singapour
Being aware of our own body and gaze is one of the essential keys for communication. Laurent Décol will initiate you to this art, based on the study of bodies’ mechanisms, postures and dynamisms. The workshop will hinge on how to
transcribe emotions through the musicality of each gesture.Ages: 8-12 years old
Tickets: $25.00 (AF members) and $30.00 (Non-members)Workshops will be conducted in English with a little French touch! All levels welcome.
Friday, 22 March – 4pm
Saturday, 23 March – 10am
EXHIBITION
#SPIROU4RIGHTS
15 March – 27 April 2019
Tuesday – Friday: 1pm – 7.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 5.30pm
@ Alliance Française de Singapour, la galerie
2018 sounded the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which settles the basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights for all. On this occasion, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights joined forces with the newspaper SPIROU. Cartoon is a universal media, making fundamental topics and civic values accessible to a wide audience. Since its creation, the newspaper SPIROU has supported the ideals of open-mindedness, defence of the oppressed, respect of difference, courage and generosity. Naturally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has chosen the character of Spirou as Defender of Human Rights. An itinerant exhibition devoted to SPIROU and Human Rights has been unveiled on 8 October 2018 at the United Nations Organisation Headquarters in Geneva. Through a long journey, this exhibition will stop by Alliance Française de Singapour who invites you to discover this historical partnership between these two institutions.
Free admission
Médiathèque
From Monday 4th to Saturday 30th March 2019, join the AF library team to celebrate the French language around the theme “Dis-moi dix mots sous toutes les formes”! Have fun participating in exciting activities as a class under group
category OR win a free French course at AF under the individual “rébus” photo contest category. The words shortlisted for 2019 edition are: arabesque, composer, coquille, cursif/-ive, gribouillis, logogramme, phylactère, rébus, signe, tracé. All students, from beginner to advanced levels, are welcomed to participate.4 – 30 March @ Alliance Française de Singapour, la médiathèque
STORYTELLING WITH ANTOINE GUILLOPPÉ
About Antoine Guilloppé Antoine Guilloppé is a French Youth author born in Chambéry. After studying at Emile Cohl school in Lyon, he decided to specialise in illustration for the youth. He illustrated many novel covers and published several youth comics as an author and illustrator, including Georges et Rose, Akiko la curieuse, Loup Noir and Pleine Lune… He received many Literature awards and accolades for his books. An excellent opportunity to meet Antoine Guilloppé and listen to some of his wonderful stories.
Free admission
For more information
STUDY IN FRANCE
Saturday, 23 March – 10am to 6pm @ Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jsk8eX6_iQ
Calling all students in Singapore interested in furthering your education in France, this Fair is FOR YOU!
The third annual French Higher Education Fair, “Study in France Fair” is organized by the Embassy of France in Singapore and Campus France.
Whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate, research candidate or a parent of someone interested in studying in France, you will benefit from individual and personalised advice there.
More than 20 renowned French universities and higher education institutions with a focus on Business, Engineering and Social Sciences will be gathered under the same roof. These prestigious participating institutions offer many programmes taught in English, no need to be fluent in French!Take the opportunity to boost your career by attending presentations delivered by institution representatives. This fair is designed to give you all the information you need to make the right choice for you and face the French challenge.
Admission is FREE! So, save the date and see you on March 23th at the “Study In France” Education Fair 2019!Free admission
For more information
