Az idei montreáli filmfesztivál programján nagy mennyisségű francia alkotás lesz látható.Az auguszus 22-én kezdődő 12 napos fesztivál műsorát kedden hozta nyilvánosságra Serge Losique, a fesztivál védnöke.

406 film lesz látható, összesen 75 országból,


The line-up of 406 films from 75 countries was unveiled Tuesday in Montreal by fest prexy Serge Losique.

There are two American pics in competition. Karen Moncrieff's "Blue Car," which generated buzz at this year's Sundance and was bought by Miramax, stars David Strathairn and is about an aspiring teen poet.

"Igby Goes Down," written and directed by Burr Steers, has a stellar ensemble cast including Kieran Culkin, Claire Danes, Jeff Goldblum, Jared Harris, Ryan Philippe, Bill Pullman, Amanda Peet and Susan Sarandon. It is about a 17-year-old boy (Culkin) rebelling against the wealthy world he grew up in.

Two of France's best-known thesps will be repped by their directorial debuts and both are expected to attend. Sophie Marceau ("Braveheart," "The World is Not Enough") will be in the official competition with "Speak To Me of Love" (Parlez-moi d'amour) about a couple who separate after 15 years together.

Vincent Perez ("Indochine," "La reine Margot") will compete with "Peau d'ange," about the complications that result after a man and woman spend the night together. Pic stars Guillaume Depardieu -- son of fest co-chairman Gerard Depardieu -- and both will be at the event.

Depardieu senior stars in "I Am Dina", a Norwegian/Danish/Swedish/German co-production in competition.

"8 Women" (8 Femmes), the acclaimed pic from French helmer Francois Ozon, gets its North American preem in the out-of-competition World Greats section. It stars Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Fanny Ardant and Virginie Ledoyen.

Same section includes "See How They Run" (Embrassez qui vous voudrez), the latest from seasoned Gallic auteur Michel Blanc, starring Carole Bouquet. Both are expected to make the trek to Montreal.

French producer/director Luc Besson, whom fest boss Losique called "Europe's Spielberg," will get a special lifetime achievement award, the Grand Prix des Ameriques.

Besson will be at event to promote "La turbulence des fluides," the pic he produced with Pierre-Ange Le Pogam from Europa Corp. and Roger Frappier and Luc Vandal from Max Films. The Canadian-French co-production is the opening night pic at Montreal and is in official competition. It is the second feature from Montreal helmer Manon Briand, who won prizes for first feature, director and Canadian film at the Montreal fest with her debut, "2 Seconds" in 1998.

"Turbulence," starring Pascale Bussieres and Genevieve Bujold, is the only Quebec film in competition and one of only two Canadian offerings competing for the Grand Prix des Ameriques.

The other homegrown pic is "Leaving Metropolis," the directorial debut or playwright Brad Fraser. It is based on his play, "Poor Super Man."

French New Wave veteran Jean-Luc Godard will give two lectures, "The evolution of the cinema since the New Wave" (Aug. 24) and "The future of cinema" (Aug. 25).