Where to see Films on the Green this summer (but not in Tompkins Square Park)

The Films on the Green series — the free outdoor French film festival produced since 2008 — is underway again this summer. 

Organizers announced the 11-film slate — "celebrating the triumphs, challenges, and sheer excitement of sports" (go Knicks!) earlier in the week.

However, for the first time that we can recall, Tompkins Square Park won't host any screenings. (Could it be because the three porta-potties in Tompkins are locked after 5 p.m. — if they are unlocked at all because there is apparently just one person with a key.) 

You can go to Washington Square Park on June 7 or June 14... or Seward Park on July 5 and July 12. Find the full schedule here.

Films on the Green coming to Tompkins Square Park and Seward Park

The Films on the Green series continues on in NYC ... and the annual free French film festival is making its way into two downtown parks starting tomorrow evening (show times roughly 8:30)...

• June 30, Tompkins Square Park  — "Three Nights a Week" by Florent Gouelou (2022) 
• July 7, Seward Park  — "Casablanca Beats" by Nabil Ayouch (2021) 
• July 14, Seward Park  — "French Cancan"  by Jean Renoir (1955) 

Here's more about the film playing in Tompkins:

"Three Nights a Week" ("Trois nuits par semaine") 

With Pablo Pauly, Romain Eck, Hafsia Herzi, drama,1 hour, 43 minutes

France Baptiste's world is turned upside down when he meets the enigmatic drag queen, Cookie Kunty, and falls headfirst into the dazzling and vibrant world of drag. Initially drawn in by a photography project, he finds himself completely immersed in this new Parisian scene, leading to a passionate and tumultuous relationship with Quentin, the man behind the captivating persona. 

You can find the full citywide lineup here. Or this link. The films are free (no tickets required) and are in French with English subtitles. 

Films on the Green is produced annually in New York City parks by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy and FACE Foundation. 

Flashback Friday: 'Touchez Pas Au Grisbi' in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Daniel Efram

This past Friday night, the 2022 Films on the Green series came to Tompkins Square Park with a free screening of "Touchez Pas Au Grisbi,"  a 1954 French-Italian crime drama starring Jean Gabin, Jeanne Moreau and Lino Ventura.

EVG regular Daniel Efram shared a few images from this welcome summer-in-the-city event, where "a delicate breeze pierced the humidity," he wrote. 

This was the only Tompkins screening this time around... but upcoming nearby...

• July 8, Seward Park  "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie (2002) 

• July 15, Seward Park  "The Class" by Laurent Cantet (2008) 

Find the whole schedule here.  

Films on the Green presents 'Touchez Pas Au Grisbi' tonight in Tompkins Square Park

The 2022 Films on the Green series comes to Tompkins Square Park tonight (July 1).

This year's theme is "From Page to Screen," spotlighting 12 literary adaptations. Our screening: "Touchez Pas Au Grisbi,"  a 1954 French-Italian crime film directed by Jacques Becker and starring Jean Gabin, Jeanne Moreau and Lino Ventura ... and based on a novel by Albert Simonin.

The plot!

After pulling off their "retirement job," 50 million in gold bars, aging criminals Max and Henri think they can give up the game. But when Henri's girlfriend tells the drug dealer Angelo about the loot, violence erupts. Angelo kidnaps the old crook and asks Max for the "grisbi' as ransom...

The trailer!

   

The film will start (roughly) around 8:30 in the center of the Park (where the bands play).

Films on the Green is produced annually in New York City parks by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy and FACE Foundation. 

After a year off in 2020, the series returned with a hybrid event last summer, though there weren't any events in Tompkins.

Films on the Green is bringing literary adaptations to downtown city parks this summer

The 2022 Films on the Green season begins in June... the annual free French film festival in NYC parks returns with the theme "From Page to Screen," spotlighting 12 literary adaptations. 

There are five screenings downtown, including a night in Tompkins Square Park: 

• June 10, Washington Square Park   "The Summit of the Gods" by Patrick Imbert (2021) 

• June 17, Washington Square Park   "Band of Outsiders" by Jean-Luc Godard (1964) 

• July 1, Tompkins Square Park  "Touchez Pas Au Grisbi" by Jacques Becker (1954) 

• July 8, Seward Park  "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie (2002) 

• July 15, Seward Park  "The Class" by Laurent Cantet (2008) 

You can find the full citywide lineup here. 

Films on the Green is produced annually in New York City parks by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy and FACE Foundation. 

After a year off in 2020, the series returned with a hybrid event last summer, though there weren't any events in Tompkins.

'Aya of Yop City' screens for free tonight in Tompkins Square Park via Films on the Green

The 2019 Films on the Green series — focusing this year on female directors in French and Francophone cinema — returns to Tompkins Square Park tonight for a free screening.

The selection is "Aya of Yop City," an animated film (based on the graphic novel) from 2013 directed by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie. It was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film at the 39th César Awards.

The synopsis!

In warm Ivory Coast's working-class district of Abidjan or Yop City, the 19-year-old aspiring doctor, Aya, dreams of finishing her studies despite her father's opposition. But, Aya lives in a poor West African township during the 1970s, where getting married to a rich man and starting a family is every girl's aspiration — at least, that's what Aya's best friends, Bintou and Adjoua, are hoping for. Under Yopougon's bright sun, three girls, three different destinies and three parallel lives intertwine, as life keeps going.

And the trailer...



The film will start at dusk (give or take a few minutes). There was a nice turnout for last week's screening of "Tomboy" in the Park...

'Tomboy' screens for free tonight in Tompkins Square Park via Films on the Green

The 2019 Films on the Green series — focusing this year on female directors in French and Francophone cinema — comes to Tompkins Square Park tonight for a free screening.

The selection is Céline Sciamma's charming (and well-reviewed) drama from 2011 titled "Tomboy."

Quickie overview:

A family with two daughters, 10-year-old Laure and 6-year-old Jeanne, moves to a new suburban neighborhood during the summer holidays. With her Jean Seberg haircut and tomboy ways, Laure is immediately mistaken for a boy by the local kids, and decides to pass herself off as a boy.

And the trailer...



The film will start at dusk (give or take a few minutes).

And next week in TSP:

• July 12 — "Aya of Yop City" (Aya of Yogoupon) Directed by Marguerite Abouet & Clément Oubrerie, 2010, 1h 24, France-Ivory Coast

Films on the Green is produced annually in New York City parks by the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks.

Films on the Green coming to Tompkins Square Park for two Friday nights this July

The 2019 Films on the Green season begins tonight with the first screening in a summer-long lineup that "focuses on female directors in French and Francophone cinema through a selection of 13 movies."

Here's more about what to expect via the EVG inbox:

This 12th edition pays tribute to “Women Behind the Camera” in honor of Agnès Varda, feminist filmmaker and pioneer of the French New Wave, who passed away earlier this year.

This year's selection highlights the diversity of French and Francophone cinema, featuring movies from Lebanon, the Ivory Coast, Mexico and Turkey, and shines a light on well-known woman filmmakers as well as emerging ones.

Films on the Green is a free outdoor French film festival produced annually in New York City parks by the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks.

And there will be two screenings each in Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park:

• June 7 - Washington Square Park: WHERE DO WE GO NOW? (Et maintenant on va où?)
Directed by Nadine Labaki, 2011, PG-13, 1h 40, France-Lebanon

• June 14 - Washington Square Park: IN SAFE HANDS (Pupille)
Directed by Jeanne Herry, 2018, 1h 47, France

• July 5 - Tompkins Square Park: TOMBOY
Directed by Céline Sciamma, 2011, 1h 22, France

• July 12 - Tompkins Square Park: AYA OF YOP CITY (Aya of Yogoupon)
Directed by Marguerite Abouet & Clément Oubrerie, 2010, 1h 24, France-Ivory Coast

And a season-preview video that I whipped together for you ...

Reiminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park

The Films on the Green series returns to Tompkins Square Park tonight for a free screening of "Romantics Anonymous" (aka Les Emotifs Anonymes").

The 2010 French-Belgian rom-com directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré, follows two sweethearts "wracked by social anxiety."



Showtime is 8:30ish.

And here are a few photos from last Friday's screening of "Le Boucher" in the Park...





Photos by N. Charles via Facebook

Reiminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park

Films on the Green, a free French film festival in NYC parks, is screening the first of two culinary-themed movies in Tompkins Square tonight at 8:30 (or so).

Tonight's screening is "Le Boucher." IMBD describes the 1970 thriller this way: "An unlikely friendship between a dour, working class butcher and a repressed schoolteacher coincides with a grisly series of Ripper-type murders in a provincial French town." (FWIW, this is on Roger Ebert's Great Movies list.)

Before the film, they'll be music via WNYC and (free) cookies from La Mère Poulard.

And playing next Friday, July 13 — "Romantics Anonymous" (or if you want, "Les émotifs anonymes"). Per IMDB: "Romantics Anonymous is a 2010 French-Belgian romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Améris and starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré."

Films on the Green to play in Tompkins Square Park on 2 Friday nights in July

Films on the Green, the free outdoor French film festival produced annually by the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks, announced its slate of summer movies yesterday.

First, here's this year's theme:

From Parisian bistros to the vineyards of southern France, the 2018 Films on the Green lineup through a selection of 12 classic and contemporary French films explores the profound relationship between French culture and gastronomy, an integral part of France's social fabric.

Tompkins Square Park will once again play host to the series on the following Friday nights:

• July 6 — "Le Boucher." IMBD describes the 1970 thriller this way: "An unlikely friendship between a dour, working class butcher and a repressed schoolteacher coincides with a grisly series of Ripper-type murders in a provincial French town." (FWIW, this is on Roger Ebert's Great Movies list.)

• July 13 — "Romantics Anonymous" (or if you want, "Les émotifs anonymes"). Per IMDB: "Romantics Anonymous is a 2010 French-Belgian romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Améris and starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré."

In keep with the culinary theme of this year's festival, maybe hit up Ray's Candy Store beforehand for some beignets.

Tonight's free film in Tompkins Square Park has been postponed until Sunday

The Films on the Green screening tonight of "Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)" in Tompkins Square Park has been postponed due to the rain. New date: Sunday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. ...

Tonight screening of PORT OF SHADOWS postponed due to rain: new date Sunday July 16 - 8:30pm in Tompkins Sq. https://t.co/68KAPPqQfy pic.twitter.com/v1KrLNNmjR

— Films on the Green (@FilmsontheGreen) July 14, 2017

UPDATED 'Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)' Friday night in Tompkins Square Park

Updated 7/14 — The screening has been postponed due to the rain. New date: Sunday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. ...

The Films on the Green series returns to Tompkins Square tomorrow night.

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by Laurie Anderson, guest curator



Unfortunately, last Friday evening's screening was interrupted by the downpour.

Find the remaining Films on the Green schedule in other city parks here.

Films on the Green: 'La Cérémonie' Friday night in Tompkins Square Park

Films on the Green, a free French film festival in NYC parks, will screen the first of two films in Tompkins Square this Friday evening. (This year, for the 10th anniversary of the series, Films on the Green is featuring 10 guest curators, including Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, Isabella Rossellini and Laurie Anderson.)

• Friday, July 7, 8:30 p.m.
"La Cérémonie"
By Claude Chabrol, 1995, starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire
Film selected by the creator of the series "Mad Men," Matthew Weiner



... and next week in Tompkins Square Park...

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by Laurie Anderson

Find the full schedule here.

Films on the Green return to Tompkins Square Park this July

Films on the Green, a free French film festival in NYC parks, returns for another season beginning on June 2.

This year, for the 10th anniversary of the series, Films on the Green is featuring 10 guest curators, including Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, Isabella Rossellini and Laurie Anderson.

Two of the films will be in Tompkins Square Park:

• Friday, July 7, 8:30 p.m.
"La Cérémonie"
By Claude Chabrol, 1995, starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire
Film selected by the creator of the series "Mad Men," Matthew Weiner

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by writer, director and visual artist Laurie Anderson

Find the full schedule here.

Free tonight in Tompkins Square Park: 'Boyfriends and Girlfriends'

The Films on the Green series — the free outdoor French film festival produced since 2008 — continues its East Village run this evening with Eric Rohmer's comedy "Boyfriends and Girlfriends" (aka "L'Ami de mon amie") from 1987.



The film is set to start at 8:30.

Free tonight in Tompkins Square Park: 'Cleo From 5 To 7'

The Films on the Green series — the free outdoor French film festival produced since 2008 — starts its East Village run this evening with the 1962 classic "Cleo From 5 To 7" by Agnès Varda.

Per IMDB:

Selfish pop singer Cléo (Corinne Marchand) has two hours to wait until the results of her biopsy come back. After an ominous tarot card reading, she visits her friends, all of whom fail to give her the emotional support she needs. Wandering around Paris, she finally finds comfort talking with a soldier in a park. On leave from the Algerian War, his troubles put hers in perspective. As they talk and walk, Cléo comes to terms with her selfishness, finding peace before the results come back.

The film is set to start at 8:30.

And next week...

Friday, July 29, 8:30 pm
Boyfriends and Girlfriends
By Eric Rohmer, 1987, PG, 1h42

Enjoy 'A Summer in Paris' next month in Tompkins Square Park

The Films on the Green series — the free outdoor French film festival produced since 2008 — is underway again this summer (OK, late spring) in city parks.

With the theme "A summer in Paris", Films on the Green 2016 will offer a striking portrait of the City of Lights, its urban landscape, and cultural diversity. A selection of classic, New Wave, and contemporary films will showcase the city’s aesthetic, cultural, and cinematic history from a dramatically unconventional angle through stories of love, romance, adolescence, female identity, and urban life in Parisian and its surrounding suburbs.

Tompkins Square Park will host two excellent movies next month by Agnès Varda and Eric Rohmer ...

Friday, July 22, 8:30 pm
Cleo From 5 To 7
By Agnès Varda, 1962, 1h30
________________________________________

Friday, July 29, 8:30 pm
Boyfriends and Girlfriends
By Eric Rohmer, 1987, PG, 1h42

Reminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park

Tonight is the second of the two screenings in Tompkins Square Park in the Films on the Green series ... the free outdoor French film festival in NYC parks... Here's what's playing tonight at 8:30ish...

"Zarafa" from 2012:

The plot of the film has a grandfather telling his grand kids the story of Maki, a young boy who escapes from slave traders, befriends a giraffe (the title character), cross the desert, meet a pirate, and a few other things on a trip that takes him from Africa to Paris.

It is a kids movie, though unnamed sources tell us that adults might enjoy it as well. (Plus, you can hide the alcohol in the kids' belongings.)

Find more about the Films on the Green series here. They'll be more free screenings in other city parks throughout the summer.

Reiminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park

Tonight is the first of the two screenings in Tompkins Square Park in the Films on the Green series ... the free outdoor French film festival in NYC parks... Here's what's playing tonight at 8:30ish...

• "Priceless"
By Pierre Salvadori with Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh
The plot:
"Irène, an attractive young woman, is on vacation at a French Riviera resort with Jacques, an older and very wealthy man. One night, while celebrating her birthday alone, she meets the handsome and intriguing Jean, who claims to be a millionaire and adventurer. However, unbeknownst to Irène, Jean isn’t everything he appears to be…"



And next Friday there's the animated film (ages 7 and up!) "Zarafa."

Find more about the festival and the other films in the series here.