French Film Series at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross announces its French film series for the fall semester. Movies are shown on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in Room 102 of Stein Hall; all are subtitled in English. Sponsored by the Holy Cross French Honors Society, Pi Delta Phi chapter, all films are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

October 3-Beau père (Stepfather) Directed by Bertrand Blier; starring Patrick Dewaere and Ariel Besse. This daring and controversial film pushes the lines between love, lust and morality. After the sudden death of his wife, Rémi, a burnt out piano player, is forced to take care of his 14-year-old stepdaughter, who, unbeknownst to him, has fallen in love with him.(1981)

October 17-La gloire de mon père (My Father's Glory) Directed by Yves Robert; starring Philippe Caubère and Julian Ciamaca. This is the enchanting story of writer Marcel Pagnol's treasured childhood in the South of France at the turn of the century. This delightful autobiography, told by an adult Marcel, is a son's loving tribute to his adoring and gentle father.(1990)

October 31-La bataille d'Alger (Battle of Algiers) Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo; starring Brahim Haggiag, Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef. Shot on location, and starring actual FLN rebels, this film is one of the most realistic political films of all times. Initially banned by the French government, it quickly won wide acclaim. Struggling to rid their country of French colonialism, Ali La pointe and his terrorist group paint the street of the Casbah red with the blood of their enemies.(1966)

November 14-Milou en mai (May Fools) Directed by Louis Malle; starring Miou Miou and Michel Piccoli. A well-to-do family gathers to divide the spoils of a country estate after the death of an ancient matriarch. This film is a satiric portrait of a family and a nation in conflict during the summer of 1968. It is also a warm and delicately sketched pastoral in the Renoir manner. (1990)

November 28-Et Dieu créa la femme (And God Created Woman) Directed by Roger Vadim; starring Brigitte Bardot and Jean-Louis Trintignant. This film casts sexual icon Brigitte Bardot as Juliette, an 18-year-old orphan with an unbridled sexual appetite. Rather than be sent back to the orphanage, Juliette accepts a spontaneous marriage proposal by Michel. The catch is that Juliette is really in love with Michel's older and more attractive brother, Antoine, who rebuffs her as the town tramp. (1956)