By Jennifer Ciotta

Holding a tribute to the talented writer-director-actor-producer, Maguerite Duras, the French Institute Alliance Francaise of New York has everything inspirational about French film.  The tribute, a series of her films, held in early 2006 marked the tenth anniversary of her death.  Included was Duras famous quote: "I approach cinema with the intention to murder it."  Other events included talks with her editor, Dominique Auvray, and with famously bizarre filmmaker John Waters. 

On Cinema Tuesdays, French films play in the theater, and from time to time, a Duras film may pop up.  For example, a recent title is Un divan New York (A Couch in New York), starring Juliette Binoche as a Parisian dancer and William Hurt as a big city psychoanalyst.  Chantel Akerman, the most important European director of her generation (The Village Voice) is a Belgian director showcased at FIAF.  Her honest take on life in Je, tu, il, elle (I, You, He, She) is a ninety minute black and white feature with English subtitles.  The movie, dating back to 1974, is her first feature, and demonstrates her talent for the craft of filmmaking. 

There are also a wide variety of cultural events.  At Rendez-Vous, all levels of French speakers practice their language skills at a social gathering over a glass of wine.  A movie club for children age three to eight is held certain Wednesdays, and a light snack is provided.  A story hour for toddlers is fun for both children and adults.  Regular book signings, lectures, music premieres and dance performances bring the French ambience to the Big Apple.  Probably, the more popular events of the center are the wine, cheese and chocolate tastings, a good practice for speaking the language and developing the fine French palette.

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