Whisper with the Wind, directed by Shahram Alida, will open the festival on 3 June presenting an emotive drama set in the heart of Kurdistan. In this year's line-up, UK premiere of Moroccan film Casanegra, directed by Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, offers a moving portrait of two childhood friends chasing their dreams in the chaotic city of Casablanca. Uncovering the brutal reality of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, The Day God Walked Away captures with unnerving realism the atmosphere of fear through a young woman's eyes.

A preview screening of London River, directed by Rachid Bouchareb, will be shown on 5 June followed by a Q&A with co-producer Bertrand Faivre.

Brazil takes centre stage with three films appearing in the programme this year, Esmir Filho's The Famous and the Dead, UK premiere of Laís Bodanzky's The Ballroom and BAFTA award-winning director Walter Salles' Linha De Passe.

UK premiere of Lebanese film Everyday is a Holiday offers a road trip in which three women undertake a chaotic journey to visit their husbands in a prison situated in the middle of the desert.

Mosaïques takes to the biggest screen in Britain with a preview screening of Journey to Mecca at the BFI IMAX, transporting us back to the 14^th century when the heroic travellor Ibn Battuta made his epic journey to Mecca. For those curious about how the Hajj was captured on film, Ciné lumière will screen Roads to Mecca, a documentary which follows the film crew as they attempt to portray one of history's most enduring rituals.

In this year's festival there is a special spotlight on Romani gypsies. The UK premiere of Khamsa portrays the flight of a young boy from his foster parents to his native gypsy camp in Marseille. Focusing on a community on the edge of society, Tony Gatlif's latest film Freedom, which closes the festival, reveals the hardships of a gypsy family journeying through France during the Second World War.

Amongst the guests in attendance this year are Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, director of Casanegra, the creative team behind Roads to Mecca including director and producer Taran Davies, and Duane Baughman and producers of the documentary Bhuttothat looks at the iconic Benazir Bhutto and her dynasty.

In the realm of literature, Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, author of An Unfinished Business will speak about Muslim culture reading parts of his novels.

To animate the festival, musician Joël O'Cangha will be in concert on 5 June and the Institute will host the Mosaïques Party, which presents theGypsy band Chancery Blame & The Gadjo Club, who will kick off the night with a potent blend of enchanting sounds followed by DJ Sacha with his gypsy beats and DJ Eric Soul who will spill some Afro vibes.


Films

Whisper with the Wind
Sirta la gal ba

Iraq | 2009 | col | 88 mins | dir. Shahram Alidi, with Omar Chawshin, Maryam Boubani | cert. PG | London Premiere

Whisper with the Wind is an engaging drama set in the heart of Kurdistan and tells the story of Mam Baldar, a de-facto postman who travels the countryside recording and delivering people's messages from families separated by war. Devoted to his task, Mam passes these messages to an underground radio station that broadcasts them despite the obvious dangers of discovery by the Iraqi Army. How long can this continue before their cover is blown?

'It's one of the most contemplative films to watch today, a visual poem crammed with unbelievable landscapes, elegiac sequences...impressive in their sheer majesty' (Le Monde)

Critic's Week, Cannes International Film Festival 2009

Thu 3 June | 6.00pm |£9, conc £7

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Casanegra

Morocco | 2008 | col | 131 mins | dir. Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, with Anas Elbaz, Omar Lotfi, Ghita Tazi | cert. 15 | UK Premiere
In the beautiful but chaotic city of Casablanca, two 20-something-year-old childhood friends, Adil and Karim, try to make a life for themselves. Living by their street wits, which often involves petty theft, the two decide to straighten up their lives and pursue their dreams of respect and success. Casanegra is a love story between two young protagonists and their city, a city that does not love them in return. It is an ode to friendship, to the hopes of a city and a generation.
Winner, Best Actor and Best Director, Brussels International Independent Film Festival 2009

Thu 3 June | 8.30pm |£9, conc £7
Followed by Q&A with director Nour-Eddine Lakhmari

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Mugabe and the White African
UK | 2009 | col | doc | 90 mins | dir. Lucy Bailey/Andrew Thompson | cert. 12A

Set against the tumultuous 2008 Presidential elections Mugabe and the White African follows Mike and son-in-law Ben Freeth's harrowing attempt to save their farm and with it the homes and livelihoods of 500 black workers and their families. Filmed over 12 months, a gripping courtroom drama unfolds whilst all the time Mike, his family and the farm workers face the all too real threats of Mugabe's wrath on the farm. After months of frightening threats and a horrific attack the Court’s judges finally rule unanimously in Mike’s and Ben’s favour. They return to the farm. But will Mugabe and his henchmen abide the Courts decision?

'Surely one of the best documentaries of the year' (Time Out)

Winner of Best Feature Documentary, British Independent Film Awards 2009
BAFTA Nomination for Outstanding Debut Film 2010

Fri 4 June | 3.30pm | £7, conc £5

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Harragas
France/Algeria | 2009 | col | 95 mins | dir. Merzak Allouache, with Lamia Boussekine, Nabil Asli, Samir El Hakim | cert. 12A | UK premiere

Mostaganem, 200 kilometres from the Algerian coast. Hassan, a people smuggler, secretly prepares the illegal departure of a group of immigrants for the Spanish coast. Ten 'burners' participate in the journey. Harragas is the odyssey of this group returning to Spain, the open door to the European El Dorado. Merzak Allouache expertly captures the desperation and drive of the protagonists as they embark on their fateful mission...

FIPRESCI Prize for Best Feature Film, Dubai International Film Festival 2009
Special Jury Prize for Best Feature Film, Dubai International Film Festival 2009

Fri 4 June | 6.15pm | £9, conc £7

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Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta
USA/Canada | 2009 | col | 45 mins | dir. Bruce Neibaur, with Chems Eddine Zinoun, Hassam Ghancy, Nadim Sawalha, Nabil Elouahabi | cert. PG | preview screening
Journey to Mecca is a dramatic and documentary feature for IMAX ®, filmed in Saudi Arabia and Morocco in English and in Arabic, which tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travellers of all time. The film follows his first pilgrimage in 1325 from Tangier to Mecca. His perilous journey resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century. The film culminates with Ibn Battuta’s first Hajj and dissolves into the most stunning modern day footage of the Hajj ever recorded in IMAX with over 3 million pilgrims.

Fri 4 June | 6.30pm | Standard £8.50, conc £6.25; Premium £9.50, conc £7.75

Ciné lumière will show Roads to Mecca, the making of Journey to Mecca on Sun 6 June

Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta will open at the BFI IMAX on Friday 18 June

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The Famous and the Dead
Os famosos e os Duendes da Morte
Brazil/France | 2009 | col | 101 mins | dir. Esmir Filho, with Ismael Caneppele, Tuane Eggers, Henrique Larré | cert. 12

A 16-year-old Bob Dylan fan reaches the whole world through the Internet while watching his days go by in a small German town in rural Brazil. The return of a mysterious figure plunges him into memories and a world beyond reality.
This eagerly-awaited debut feature from Esmir Filho features sensational music by Nelo Johann and gorgeous photography by Mauro Pinheiro Jr.

FIPRESCI Prize for Best Feature Film, Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival 2009

Fri 4 June | 8.30pm | £9, conc £7

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Délice Paloma
France/Algeria | 2007 | col | 134 mins | dir. Nadir Moknèche, with Biyouna, Nadia Kaci, Aylin Prandi, Daniel Lundh | cert. 12A

Need a building permit? Feeling lonely tonight? Call the national benefactress, Madame Aldjeria – she has the answer. When it comes to surviving in today’s Algeria, no scam is too daunting for the woman who has adopted her country’s name. If they’re pretty and lacking in principles, her recruits can make a career for themselves. The latest of these, Paloma, is quite a hit, especially with Riyad, Madame Aldjeria’s son. But the purchase of Caracalla Springs, the dream that should allow Aldjeria’s clan to start a new life, proves to be one scam too many.

Sat 5 June | 3.00pm | £9, conc £7

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Slam, ce qui nous brûle
France | 2007 | col | doc | 52 mins | dir. Pascal Tessaud | cert. PG

Pascal Tessaud allows us to discover the history of 'Slam', an artistic trend based on rhyming, through encounters with a group of ten 'slammers'. Each artist talks about this urban art and explains why it became their passion, revealing amongst other things, their desire to meet different people, be listened to, be able to share, and express themselves in a way that brings together literature, poetry, theatre, song and rap.

Sat 5 June | 5.45pm | £5, conc £3

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London River
France/UK | 2008 | col | 90 mins | dir. Rachid Bouchareb, with Brenda Blethyn, Sotigui Kouyate, Sami Bouajila | cert. 12A | preview screening

The Ballroom
Chega de Saudade
Brazil | 2007 | col | 95 mins | dir. Laís Bodanzky, with Leonardo Villar, Tônia Carrero, Cássia Kiss | cert. 15 | UK premiere


Chega de Saudade, Laís Bodanzky'ssecond feature film, takes place during one night in a typical Brazilian dance hall in São Paulo and tells the story of the men and women who meet, flirt, have fun and dance.
This bittersweet film brings together a cast of actors who effortlessly glide through each scene. With a upbeat, soundtrack and genuine comic moments, The Ballroom is a wonderful insight into Brazilian dance.


Sun 6 June | 6.15pm |£9, conc £7

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Roads to Mecca
USA/Canada | 2009 | col | doc | 60 mins | dir.s Taran Davies, Ghasem Ebrahimian | UK premiere

Roads to Mecca follows the Muslim and non-Muslim members of an international film crew as they attempt to make the first IMAX movie ever made on the Hajj. The film interweaves IMAX footage of the 14th century pilgrimage of the great Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta, with the filmmakers' four year struggle to film in Saudi Arabia where cinema is banned, and in Mecca where entrance for non-Muslims is strictly forbidden.


Winner, Best Cinematography Award for a Documentary, Boston International Film Festival 2010

Sun 6 June | 8.40pm | £7, conc £5

Followed by Q&A with producer and director Taran Davies, director Ghasem Ebrahimian, executive producer Jake Eberts, co-writer of Journey to Mecca, Tahir Shah and producers Jonathan Barker and Dominic Cunningham-Reid.

This film follows the making of Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta, which will be shown at 6.30pm on 4 June at the BFI IMAX www.bfi.org.uk/imax

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Jaffa
Germany/Israel/France | 2009 | col | 106 mins | dir. Keren Yedaya, with Dana Ivgy, Mahmud Shalaby, Ronit Elkabetz | cert. 12A

In the heart of Jaffa, a city nicknamed 'the Bride of the Sea' by the Israelis, Reuven's garage is a family business. His daughter Mali and his son Meir, as well as Toufik and Hassan, a young Palestinian and his father, work there for Reuven. No one suspects that Mali and Toufik have been in love for years. As the two lovers are secretly making their wedding arrangements, tension builds between Meir and Toufik…

Mon 7 June | 8.30pm | £7, conc £5

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Short World Animation Films
Bringing together a colourful mix of short animation films from around the world, the programme will include highlights from Brazil, France and India. Misadventures of a day, follows Luiza during her day against the backdrop of a Brazilian rhythm and beat. En Tus Brazos centres around the greatest tango dancer of the 1920s who is bound to a wheelchair, but wants to enjoy one last dance. In Versus, two samourai clans fight for a little island lost in the ocean...

Tue 8 June | 3.30pm | £5, conc £3

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Lost Persons Area
Belgium/Netherlands/Hungary | 2009 | col | 109 mins | dir. Caroline Strubbe, with Lisbeth Gruwez, Sam Louwyck, Kimke Desart | cert. 15 | UK premiere

Bettina and Marcus, a passionate couple, live in a canteen in the middle of a vast field with endless lines of pylons. Marcus, trying to set up his own business, works as a foreman in the maintenance of these power-lines. Bettina, bored and longing for a better life, runs the canteen for the workingmen. Their 9-year-old daughter Tessa, wanders the industrial estate, looking for objects to play with. When Marcus hires a Hungarian engineer, Szabolcs, to become part of his company, their unconventional way of living takes a new turn. A tragic accident although will shatter everyone’s pursuit of happiness.

Winner, SACD Screenwriting Award, Cannes International Film Festival 2009

Tue 8 June | 6.15pm | £9, conc £7

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Pour un sourire d'enfant
For a Child's Smile
France | 2010 | col | doc | 57 mins | dir Christian des Pallières

In October 1995, shocked to discover the misery of street children living on refuse sites in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Christian and Marie-France Des Pallières decided to help them by setting up a charity called 'Pour un sourire d'enfant'. Today more than 6000 children have been taken into care, reschooled, trained to take up skilled work and saved by schemes set up by these two individuals. Having made several documentaries in the past, Christian des Pallières decided to focus his attention on the current situation in Cambodia in his most recent work.

Tue 8 June | 8.40pm | £7, conc £5

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Linha De Passe
Brazil | 2008 | col | 113 mins | dir.s Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas, with Sandra Corveloni, Vinicius de Oliveira, João Baldasserini | cert. 15

Sao Paulo. 20 million inhabitants, 200 kilometres of traffic, 300,000 messengers on motorcycles.
At the heart of one of the toughest, most chaotic cities in the world, four brothers try to reinvent themselves in different ways. With the backdrop of Brazil in a state of emergency, every single person is looking for a way out in this startling film from the double BAFTA award-winning director Walter Salles.

'Insightful and compelling' (Daily Telegraph)

Award for Best Actress, Cannes International Film Festival 2008

Wed 9 June | 3.30pm | £7, conc £5

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Eastern Plays
Bulgaria | 2010 | col | 89 mins | dir. Kamen Kalev, with Christo Christov, Ovanes Torosian, Saadet Isil Aksoy | cert. 15 | UK premiere

Two brothers who’ve lost all contact are suddenly brought together when they have opposite roles in a racist beating. While Georgi who’s recently joined a Neo-Nazi group participates in the violence, Itso witnesses the fight and rescues a Turkish family. Georgi, now being asked to participate in larger events, starts to question his implication in the movement and Itso wonders if the beautiful Turkish girl he saved could be his ticket out from his sad life in Sofia. Only by reuniting will the two brothers be able to assess what they really want from life.

'An accomplished debut feature from Bulgaria’s Kamen Kalev' (Screendaily)

Wed 9 June | 6.15pm |£9, conc £7

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The Day God Walked Away
Le jour où Dieu est parti en voyage
France/Belgium | 2009 | col | 100 mins | dir. Philippe Van Leeuw, with Ruth Nirere, Afazali Dewaele, Lola Tuyaerts | cert. 18 | UK premiere
Rwanda, spring 1994. Genocide breaks out. Jacqueline, a young Tutsi woman, is a maid in a Belgian family. When she discovers her children brutally murdered by the Hutus, she flees and hides in the woods. There, she meets a man who has also escaped from the slaughter. Together, they try to survive with the horrible fear of being discovered at any moment. Terror and insanity wait for them at every turn.

Wed 9 June | 8.30pm | £9, conc £7

In collaboration with Doctors of the World
An exhibition of photographs by Andrew McConnell highlighting humanitarian crises will be on display in the foyer of the Institut français. www.andrewmcconnell.comwww.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk

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Finzan
Mali | 1989 | col | 107 mins | dir. Cheik Oumar Sissoko, with Bab Moussa, Diarrah Sanogo, Oumar Namory Keita | cert. 15

Nanyuma, a young tribal woman is freed by the death of the old man she was forced to marry as a teenager. However under tribal law she is now forced to join the harem of her brother-in-law. She refuses, fleeing the village with her little girl, only to find that her father turns her away.

Thu 10 June | 3.30pm | £7, conc £5

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Bhutto
USA/Canada | 2010 | col | doc | 115 mins | dir. Johnny O'Hara | cert. 12 | UK Premiere

Bhutto takes us deep inside Pakistan, the world’s most strategically important country, and peels away the secrets of a political family dynasty in a story that unfolds like a Greek tragedy. Called courageous and controversial, Benazir Bhutto’s global impact is undeniable and her unsolved assassination proves that her legacy will be debated for generations to come.

Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival 2010

Thu 10 June | 6.00pm | £7, conc £5
Followed by Q&A with producers Duane Baughman, Mark Siegel & Glenn Aveni

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Dernier Maquis
France/Algeria | 2008 | col | 93 mins | dir. Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche with Abel Jafri, Christian Milia-Darmezin, Sotigui Kouyaté, Sylvain Roume | cert. 12A

In a rundown industrial park in France, Mao, a Muslim boss, owns a company that specializes in repairing lorries and pallets. He decides to open a mosque and designates the imam without consulting the workforce...
Filmed in a garage on an abandoned industrial estate in the outskirts of Paris, Dernier Maquis has a genuine backdrop, with thousands of wooden pallets forming a symbolic core to the narrative.

'a powerful political scorcher of a film...' (Les Inrockuptibles)

Quinzaine des réalisateurs, Cannes International Film Festival 2008

Fri 11 June | 3.30pm | £7, conc £5

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Khamsa
France | 2008 | col | 110 mins | dir. Karim Dridi, with Marco Cortes, Raymond Adam, Tony Fourman, Mehdi Laribi | cert. 15 | UK premiere

Placed in the protection of a foster family, Marco, 11 years old, runs away to find the gypsy camp where he was born in Marseille. With his dwarf cousin Tony, Marco dreams of making money through cock-fighting. Meanwhile, he messes around with Coyote his childhood friend and Rachitique, a young Arab boy who lives in a neighbouring estate. Very quickly the innocent trio start robbing scooters and committing burglaries...
Marco only dreams of one thing, to find his place in a world which doesn't appear to need him.
Apparently Karim Dridi was inspired by Truffaut when making Khamsa explaining 'there is no need for a big tragedy about childhood, small truths suffice and their accumulation can elaborate into the script of a film'.
Filmed in real gypsy camps using non-professional actors, Khamsa has been critically acclaimed in France.

Sat 12 June | 3.00pm |£9, conc £7

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Everyday is a Holiday
Chaque jour est une fête
France/Lebanon | 2009 | col | 87 mins | dir. Dima El-Horr, with Hiam Abbass, Manal Khader, Raïa Haidar | cert. 12A | UK premiere

Three women travel on the same bus through the desert in Lebanon headed for the same place: Mermel Prison. Tamara is going to visit her husband who was incarcerated on their wedding day. Lina has only one goal in mind: to get her husband to sign the divorce papers. Hala heads for her husband, a prison guard, to bring him back his weapon. In the heart of this arid land, interspersed with landmines and broken dreams, the journey becomes a search for their own independence.

Sat 12 June | 5.30pm | £9, conc £7

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Freedom
Liberté
France | 2009 | col | 111 mins | dir. Tony Gatlif, with James Thiérrée, Marc Lavoine, Marie Josée Croze, Rufus | cert. 12A | UK premiere

A Gypsy family journeys through France during the Second World War, accompanied by Little Claude, a young boy seeking a new family after his parents 'left and never returned'.
Upon reaching a town where they traditionally stop for a few months, they learn that a new law forbids them from being nomadic. Theodore, the town's mayor, and Miss Lundi, the schoolteacher, protect and support the Gypsies. Despite this, they are arrested and interned. Their fate lies in Theodore's hands...

Grand Prix of the Americas, Public Award, Ecumenical Prize at the Montreal Film Festival 2009

'Liberté is Gatlif's most understated, restrained work - but not his least moving' (Le Point)

Sat 12 June | 8.00pm | £12, conc £10
Ticket includes entry to the Mosaïques Party.

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Talks

Boualem Sansal
History, identity and violence course through the writing of Boualem Sansal: his recently translated
An Unfinished Business (Bloomsbury, translated by Frank Wynne)tackles one of the great taboos of Muslim culture – the Shoah. Sansal's subject matter is both harsh and delicate, and his books have
been censored in his native Algeria.Born in 1949, Sansal lives in Boumerdès, near Algiers. His first novel Le Serment des barbares (1999) won the Prix du Premier Roman. In 2003 he was dismissed from his government job for criticising the Algerian government. Today he is considered
not only one of Algeria’s most important writers, but a literary figure of international stature.
Tue 8 june | 7.30pm | £5, conc. £3 | in English

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Music

Joël O’Cangha
Joël O'Cangha is a soul singer and composer born in Paris with Caribbean backgrounds. Having been involved in various music projects where he has established himself as a performer, Joel has now teamed up with the newly established Revolvart to produce his debut album mixing hip-hop, soul and folk. He will play an acoustic set in the cinema, a fantastic free gig not to be missed!

Sat 5 June | 7.00pm | free

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Mosaïques Party
Chancery Blame & The Gadjo Club, formed of 6 members, willserve up a potent cocktail of gypsy sounds from the old country, borrowed, blagged and muddled with a twist of klezmer and a dash of rock n roll. To keep the party going DJ Sacha will rock this year's Mosaïques party with an explosive mix of Gypsy, Belly Dance, Rhythm and Blues, Swing and French beats.
Leading Afro-centric DJ Eric Soul will later bring some Afro vibes to the floor mixing up World, Jazz, Afro, HipHop, and Broken Beats.

Sat 12 June | 10.00pm | £5 (free with ticket to Freedom, directed by Tony Gatlif)
Entry includes one complimentary Wyborowa vodka cocktail, courtesy of Pernod Ricard UK

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Workshop

Tell me about the Circus!

Magicians, clowns, acrobats, lion tamers... across the globe, the circus transcends the ages and continues to enchant us. The Médiathèque is offering children from 6-10 years the chance to join a circus-themed matinee with story-telling and a juggling workshop. With the help of Alix the Juggler, children can learn to make their own juggler's balls and to master the art of juggling. All disguises are welcome. Bring your red nose!

Sun 6 June | 2.00pm | £3 | 6 – 10 years old


For further information, screeners and photos please contact:
Natacha Antolini on 020 7073 1365 or natacha.antolini@ambafrance.org.uk
Naomi Crowther on 020 7073 1333 or naomi.crowther@ambafrance.org.uk


Venues:

Ciné lumière at the Institut français
17 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2DT
T. 020 7073 1350
www.institut-francais.org.uk

BFI IMAX
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk
South Bank
Waterloo
London SE1 8XR
www.bfi.org.uk/imax