The State Theatre glittered on Tuesday evening as Sydney welcomed one of the most anticipated cultural events on the Australian calendar: the opening night of the 37th Alliance Française French Film Festival. A star-studded crowd packed into the iconic venue for a night that was as much a celebration of a milestone as it was a love letter to French cinema.
There was something fitting about choosing Sydney’s grand State Theatre for the occasion. With its ornate interiors and old-world grandeur, the venue lent the evening the air of a true cinematic event. Guests arrived in style, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement long before the lights went down.
French Ambassador Pierre-André Imbert set the tone perfectly, calling the festival “le rendez-vous incontournable des amoureux du cinéma” , the unmissable gathering for lovers of cinema. Year after year, it seems, Sydney agrees.
The Governor Weighs In : Mais Oui!
Among the distinguished guests was NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, who made clear she was no reluctant attendee. Asked what it means for New South Wales to host such a prestigious festival, she was unequivocal.
“First of all, I think it just brings so much joy, fun and interest to the city. For me, that is enough,” she said. “If we go from there and think of the economy, the tourism, and the exposure of French culture. For us, it’s just wonderful. It’s a proof that we can do this here.”
And her personal relationship with French cinema? “Mais oui!” she laughed, before revealing a particular soft spot for French comedy. “There is something about French comedy that is just a little off-beat, a little funny, well, more than a little funny, and it always catches the truth, which I rather like.” A sentiment that many in the room would have wholeheartedly shared.
Behind the glamour of opening night lies months of painstaking preparation. Festival CEO Frédéric Alliod, whom Le Courrier Australien spoke with during the lead-up to the event, was visibly moved as the curtain finally rose on his team’s work.
“C’est un peu un accouchement,” he told us with a smile, it’s a bit like giving birth. “You’ve had the scans for a while, and then finally you get to meet the baby. It will inevitably be beautiful, and even if it isn’t, I won’t notice.”
His hope, he said, was simple: that audiences would take pleasure in the films and come to as many screenings as possible. As for the opening film itself, he admitted he had already seen it several times. “My pleasure now is watching the audience’s reaction. If we chose it for opening night, it’s because I believe in this film, and I believe it will be loved.”
Opening Film: Colours of Time
The film in question was Colours of Time (La Venue de l’avenir), the new work from beloved French director Cédric Klapisch, the filmmaker behind crowd-pleasers such as L’Auberge Espagnole and Russian Dolls. Blending historical drama with the warmth and wit of comedy, the film proved to be an ideal choice to set the festival’s tone.
The audience gave Klapisch’s latest a rapturous reception. Laughter, emotion, and sustained applause at the credits confirmed that Frédéric Alliod’s faith in the film was well-placed. It was, by all accounts, a perfect opening night pick.
From its humble beginnings to a festival that has now sold over three million tickets, the Alliance Française French Film Festival has grown into something truly remarkable, a bridge between two cultures, a celebration of storytelling, and an annual reminder of cinema’s power to move us across languages and borders.
The 37th edition continues across Sydney and other Australian cities in the coming weeks. If opening night was any indication, this year promises to be among the finest yet. Vive le cinéma!
The Alliance Française French Film Festival runs until April 20th. For programme and tickets, visit the festival website.
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