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. 

Sunday's opening shot

On 14th Street (just east of Second Avenue), someone looks to be rooting for France today over Argentina in the World Cup final... or maybe just excited for the season 3 premiere of "Emily in Paris." 😬

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.

Pastry alert: French bakery set to open next month at 229 1st Ave.

A new bakery, Petit Chou, is opening later this summer at 229 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. (Thanks to Shiv for the photo!)

The proprietor, a French-trained pastry chef, shared a quick overview of what to expect:

It’s going to be a French-inspired bakery with a specialty in choux pastry, which is the base for eclairs, cream puffs and profiteroles. We will also have lots of different desserts, croissants, danishes, macarons and coffee.

They'll also offer baking classes for residents to learn how to make macarons and choux pastry.

My goal is to bring a really high quality bakery to the neighborhood. We use quality ingredients and do everything the right way, using the latest techniques. I’m really looking forward to serving the community!

Petit Chou is hopeful for an early August debut. They have an Instagram account ready to go.

No. 229 was until June 2019 Just for Fen, which served Guizhou-style fen bowls for nearly two years.

'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.

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.

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

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.

Films on the Green return to Tompkins Square Park with 2 Friday nights in June

Films on the Green, the free outdoor French film festival in NYC parks, returns for its seventh season … with two films set for Tompkins Square Park:

• Friday, June 19, 8:30 pm
"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…"

• Friday, June 26, 8:30 pm
"Zarafa"
By Rémi Bezançon & Jean-Christophe Lie (Animated, ages 7 & up)
The plot:
"Beneath a baobab tree, an old man tells the story of Maki, a young boy who crosses the desert with his giraffe and a Bedouin nomad named Hassan. During the epic journey from Africa to Paris, which takes them through Alexandria and the bustling port of Marseilles, Maki and his companions meet countless exotic characters." Rated X

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

Happy Bastille Day from St. Mark's Place

Outside Jules Bistro.

Other headlines under consideration:
Citi Bike introduces new overtime fees
New landlord makes final buyout offers to rent-stabilized residents
EV Grieve is now posting photos of guillotines
Headless body found in tapas bar

Free tonight in Tompkins Square Park: the 'tough beauty' of 'La Haine'

Tonight at 8:30ish … it's another in the Films on the Green series with the 1995 release "La Haine."

Here's Criterion describing the film:

Mathieu Kassovitz took the film world by storm with La haine, a gritty, unsettling, and visually explosive look at the racial and cultural volatility in modern-day France, specifically the low-income banlieue districts on Paris’s outskirts. Aimlessly passing their days in the concrete environs of their dead-end suburbia, Vinz (Vincent Cassel), Hubert (Hubert Koundé), and Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui) — a Jew, an African, and an Arab — give human faces to France’s immigrant populations, their bristling resentment at their marginalization slowly simmering until it reaches a climactic boiling point. A work of tough beauty, La haine is a landmark of contemporary French cinema and a gripping reflection of its country’s ongoing identity crisis.