Opera, jazz and surrealist cinema were among the diverse forms of French media presented throughout this year’s French Film Festival.
During the festival’s closing reception on March 26 in the Multicultural Center, the film screened was the 1972 surreal comedy film, “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.”
The musical trio Guys & Doll—featuring former Pierce French Professor Dominique Merrill—performed a collection of French songs, one of which was “Que reste-t-il de nos amours?” the song that played during the credits of a film previously shown at the festival, “Baisers volés (Stolen Kisses).”
Co-presenter and English professor Donna Accardo said musicians were invited to perform because music would fit well into the festival.
“French music is such an important part of culture,” Accardo said. “It was a way to bring something else into it.”
Guys & Doll was chosen to perform at Pierce specifically because of Merrill’s familiarity with both French culture and Pierce.
“Once a Brahma, always a Brahma,” Accardo said. “That’s the world that she grew up in, that French music.”
Classical voice major Shereen Saiyed performed “Les chemins de l’amour” by Francis Poulenc.
“It means, ‘The Paths of Love,’” Saiyed said. “The song is about someone that lost their love and they are reminiscing about it.”
Saiyed said she was happy the audience was receptive to her performance and thanked her professors at Pierce.
“My favorite singer is French, as well,” Saiyed said. “Her name is Sabine Devieilhe. She sang this song and I got inspired to also sing it.”
Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga said it was heartwarming to see the French Film Festival grow after four years.
“Our program with the Multicultural Center is a space for all students to thrive and be here to connect with each other and share community with each other,” Astorga said.
Accardo said they choose movies that are truthful to French cinema while still maintaining variety to expose students to the culture.
“We just have a range of films,” Accardo said. “Some that maybe are fun and easy for students to see and some that are challenging. The whole point of this, as Pra said, is to expose people to French culture, so if you’re interested, you should take French—and English.”
The final screening of the French Film Festival—combined with Multicultural Day 2024—will take place on April 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Center.
Raiden Vazquez contributed to this story.
