I’ve mentioned a few times on this site how much I adore François Truffaut and his films.  In his 52 years with us (he died quite young) Truffaut worked hard to explore what cinema was/is and how it could be better and how it could be something for everyone.  He once said “Is cinema more important than life?” and while most people probably don’t think it is, I relate to that quote an unbelievable amount (and think there is some truth in it).

I’m therefore excited to tell you that The French Institute Alliance Francaise in New York City (FIAF) has a wonderful series that starts today featuring Truffaut’s films from the 1970’s called François Truffaut: A Winter Portrait.  Truffaut wasn’t known as a overtly political filmmaker (I would call him a humanist filmmaker) but there are plenty of important issues at the core of the films that are featured in the FIAF series. Not to mention that they’re all beautiful films to see on the big screen–full of life, love, loss and laughter.

Check out the entire line-up below:

Mississippi Mermaid: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
The Wild Child: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
Two English Girls: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
Small Change: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
The Story of Adèle H.: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
The Man Who Loved Women: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm
A Gorgeous Girl Like Me: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 12:30 & 4pm
The Last Métro: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 12:30, 4 & 7:30pm

As the series progresses I’ll be posting longer form reviews of the films that are more social action heavy. Look for pieces on The Wild Child, Small Change, The Story of Adele H. and The Last Metro (one of our 81 for 81 last year). The pieces will be in a new series I am starting her on TakePart called “Yesterday’s Films, Today’s Issues”

Stay tuned and if you live in New York City be sure to check out Mississipi Mermaid tonight (directions HERE). It isn’t really political but it’s wonderfully strange, ridiculously beautiful and features stellar performances from Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Paul Belmondo