Costa-Gavras coming to Montreal’s Cinemania

Greek born French director Costa-Gavras will be coming to the 15th Cinemania festival, organizers announced Thursday.
He will be conducting a master class, attending a screening of a new 35 mm print of his 1969 classic, Z, and unveiling a brand new film, Eden à l’ouest.
“It is a very great honour to welcome this legendary figure in French film,” festival founder Maidy Teitelbaum, said.

A Canadian First: A Cinema Master Class with Costa-Gavras:
Film-buffs are invited to dialogue with the director and discuss his creative process in an informal and approachable atmosphere. Topics covered will be Costa-Gavras’ script-writing and narrative techniques as well as his inspirational sources and the methods he uses to direct his favourite actors.

The Canadian Premiere of Costa-Gavras’ EDEN IS WEST (2009):
EDEN IS WEST was the closing film at the prestigious Berlin Festival (2009). Costa- Gavras unfolds a clandestine immigrant’s drama with the sensitivity and humour that only this great champion of human rights can bring to the screen. Lead actor, Riccardo Scarmacio, blows us away in the role of an ordinary guy in search of the promised land. It’s most evident that Costa-Gavras is exploring a subject close to his heart.

Starring: Riccardo Scamarcio, Juliane Koelhler, Ulrich Tukur, Eric Caravaca, Anny Duperey
BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Closing Film
COL-COA FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL (L.A.). Critics Award
Elias, a clandestine immigrant, is in search of a welcoming homeland. His wanderings between heaven and hell lead him to confront the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, from Italy on to France. He magically ends up in Paris, the Eden of all wanderers.

On the 40th Anniversary of his Masterpiece “Z” (1969) – A Special Re-Mastered 35mm Screening:
The first of Costa-Gavras’ great political dramas, the majestic “Z” bears witness against oppression and is a transcendent call to arms.

Starring: Yves Montand, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Irène Papas, Jacques Perrin
WINNER OF 2 OSCARS (1969): Best Foreign Film and Best Film Editing
WINNER OF 2 AWARDS AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL (1969): Jury Prize and Best Actor Award – Jean-Louis Trintignant
When the military threatens Greek democracy in 1967, a progressive politician is assassinated. Even though the police ruled the death accidental, a magistrate carries out a thorough investigation.

Costa-Gavras: His struggle for social justice:
Costa-Gavras is internationally renowned for his political activism. He has won many awards worldwide, from Cannes to Hollywood. He is also currently President of the prestigious Cinématheque Française.

COSTA-GAVRAS: A selective filmography — Z, STATE OF SIEGE, L’AVEU, BETRAYED, MUSIC BOX, AMEN, LE COUPERET, EDEN IS WEST

“It’s a great honour to welcome Costa-Gavras, the giant of French cinema, to celebrate CINEMANIA’s 15th Anniversary. Forever engaged in the political arena and the quest for social justice, Costa-Gavras never ceases to educate and inform, and to make us reflect deeply on current issues.”
Maidy Teitelbaum, President and Founder, CINEMANIA

“What an enormous pleasure this is for our CINEMANIA audience! To be able to view a re-mastered copy of “Z” at the Imperial Cinema, presented in person by the creator himself, Costa-Gavras, is an incredible experience to be savoured by all cinephiles!”
Geneviève Royer, Managing Director, CINEMANIA

The 15th Anniversary of the French Film Festival, CINEMANIA, will take place from Thursday, the 5th of November, to Sunday, the15th of November, 2009, at the Imperial Cinema in Montreal. It’s a not-to-be-missed filmgoing event!