The curtain will raise on the Panorama of French Cinema 2006 on February 9 in Beijing, introducing film buffs to the latest European movies.

The series of screenings, held for the third time, will allow audiences in Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai to take in 11 recent French offerings from February 10 to 14.

Featured films include L'Avion, Joyeux Noel, Le courage d'aimer, Zaina, Cavaliere de l'Atlas, L'enfant, L'anniversaire, La maison de Nina, Je ne suis pas la pour etre aime, Mon petit doigt m'a dit, Cache, and Frankie, according to Christine Pernin, chief representative of Unifrance in China.

The directors of the films, and some of the actors that feature in them, are expected to attend showings in the three cities to discuss their works.

The event has been jointly organized by Unifrance, a promoter of French films overseas, the French Embassy in China and the Beijing Huaxia Film Distribution Co Ltd.

"With France and China building up closer ties in recent years, we have noticed a growing interest in French culture among Chinese people, including French-made movies," said French Ambassador Philippe Guelluy during a press conference last week in Beijing.

In 2004, three French movies were released in cinemas nationwide by domestic distributors, and last year there were four.

The ambassador hopes Chinese audiences will watch more French films in the coming years and encourages more cooperation between professionals from both countries.

The annual event was originally held in 2004 as part of the Year of France in China cultural exchange program, and has continued to function as an effective way to nurture an increasing fan base in China.

Meanwhile, a retrospective show of six films starring Jean Reno, a French film actor popular among older Chinese audiences, will also be held at the Beijing-based China Film Archive and French Culture Centre (Beijing) starting on February 10.

Jean Reno will be present at the Beijing premiere of his latest work L'Empire des Loups, which will be on general release across China from January 30.

(China Daily January 24, 2006)