Alyssa Wejebe / Roundup
The critically acclaimed French film “Amelie” will be screened in the Great Hall at 6 p.m. for free. The French Club at Pierce College will host the event.
Sylvie Young, assistant French professor and adviser to the club, talked about some things lost in translation—at least for the movie title.
“The French title is a lot more involved than the American version,” she said. Young explained that the full translation was “The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain.”
According to the Internet Movie Database, the 2001 film tells the story of the titular character Amelie, a girl who was sheltered from life by her father after he mistakenly concluded she had a heart defect and needed protection. Amelie grows into a young woman with very little real-life contact with people, instead drawing from her own fantasies.
Young talked about the acclaim the film ended up winning.
“It’s not a very old movie, but it’s already become a classic,” she said. “It was very well received in the United States as well.”
Though the U.S. applauded it, Young said the film was very much true to its cultural roots.
“At the same time, it’s a very French movie, and a very original piece of moviemaking,” she said. “Any cinema lover will enjoy it as a cinematic experience.”
Young said “Amelie” has a cult status in France.
According to the Academy Awards Database, the film was nominated in 2001 for the top honor in the Art Direction, Cinematography, Sound, Writing, and Foreign Language Film categories.
“It’s a movie with a very positive message,” she said. “It’s about learning to reach out to others, and follow your dreams and find what’s beautiful in the every day.”
Serena Swanger, president of the French Club, said the movie would be a great way to get students interested in not only the language, but also the culture of France.
Swanger said that her club will sell popcorn, candy and drinks at the screening to raise funds.
She said those funds would go toward Haiti and Chili earthquake relief efforts.
According to Swanger and Young, more relief money will come from the club’s bake sale this Monday from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the Mall (French specialties included). Besides regular baked goods, there will be French specialties at affordable prices.
They said that the first annual Multicultural Day at the Great Hall on May 10 will also raise money for charity. The event will be sponsored by the Pierce Diversity Committee and ASO. It will start at 12 and end at 4 p.m.
Young said the club meets every Tuesday in Village 8210 from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss French and Francophone culture and current events. Members also practice their French through different activities, like role playing, interviewing, Pictionary and Scattergories.
More information can be found about “Amelie” at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/.
More information can be found about the French Club at Young’s faculty page, http://faculty.piercecollege.edu/youngs/.
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