Cinematheque Ontario is currently the series: BEST 10 of the Decade – an alternative view. Among the films chosen are quite a few French entries, by well-known directors like Claire Denis, Michael Haneke, Godard and the Dardenne Brothers.

These best 10 films of the decade from Cinematheque Ontario prove that the art film is not dead. But be forewarned that not all the films selected will to your agreement – at least quite a few were not to mine. As they say, that is what keeps the world going round.

For the complete list of films in this BEST OF THE DECADE program, showtimes, venue and ticket pricing, check the cinematheque’s website at: www.cinemathequeontario.ca

The series runs from January 21 to February 23rd, 2010.

Below are capsule reviews of a few of the French films screened:

CACHE (HIDDEN) (Fr/Austria/Ger/It 2005) *****
Directed by Michael Hanake

CACHE is Hanake’s at his prime, a disturbing suspense thriller with enough shocks and twists to satisfy even Hitchcock fans. Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne (Julliete Binoche) are an outwardly happy couple whose idyllic existence is turned upside down when a series of cassettes are left at their front door or delivered to them. They are under surveillance. The motive is never clear nor the person or persons responsible as this is not Hanake’s purpose for the movie. Hanake’s moves his film at steady pace, upping the suspense towards the final reel proving once again that he is the master of discomforting dramas that shock audiences out of their seats. Again, his theme is the evil of men brought forth by extenuating circumstances. Worth a watch again before his WHITE RIBBON wins the Best Foreign Film Oscar. (My bet!)

(Screening: Feb 4th Thu 7 pm)

L’ENFANT (Belgium /Fr 2006) ***

Directed by the Dardennes

L’ENFANT begins with pretty Sonia (Deborah Francois) tightly clutching her baby, looking for the apparent father, Bruno (Jeremie Renier). Bruno is a small time thief committing crimes with kid, Steve (Jeremie Sagard). It is apparent he loves her but has no qualms at being a good father. After selling the child to the black market, he discovers his error. L’ENFANT is the story of his redemption – Dardennes-style. Those who have seen the Dardennes’ previous films LE FILS, ROSETTA and LA PROMESSE will not be surprised to find the story again taking place in a poor industrial Belgian town, the film done with hand held camera sans music and with minimal dialogue and with the camera often chasing behind the necks of the actors. L’ENFANT has the realistic feel of a good human drama. Actors Renier and Francois deliver credible roles as the fighting couple, Francois more successful as the maturing Sonia.

(Screening: Feb 16th Tue 9 pm)

L’INTRUS (THE INTRUDER) (France 2005) ****

Directed by Claire Denis

This is perhaps the only chance to catch Claire Denis’ often confusing but mesmerizing tale of a mysterious older gentleman (Michel Subor) with a shady past. Was he a spy or some criminal in the past? Denis follows her protagonist as he journeys from the woods in the French Alps to Tahi to Korea in search for a heart transplant. Also equally puzzling is his relationship with his estranged son (Gregoire Colin). Denis’ images are stunning from the dogs pulling the sleigh to the baby’s eye view of the father’s head to the stunning clear blue waters around Tahiti. This is clearly Denis most beautiful film. Her actors are just as gorgeous from the Tahiti natives to the chiselled calves of Gregoire Colin as he climbs a hill.

(Screening: Feb 5th Fri 9 pm)

ROIS ET REIN (France 2004) *****
Directed by Arnaud Desplechin

ROIS ET REINE translated in English, to plural KINGS and singular queen refer to 35 year-old single mother Nora (Emmanuelle Devos) and the four kings (father, first lover, son and ex-second lover) in her life. The film is a story about life, a subject so complicated that writer/director Arnaud Desplechin attempts to match its diversity with different methods of story-telling. Even the titles of the films two parts – named appropriately Nora and Cruel Releases – are words to ponder on. Nora’s life is in a shambles. She is in the midst of her third lover when her father is taken ill to hospital with cancer. But her main purpose is to convince her second lover to adopt her son. Told in non-chronological order, comedy, melodrama and using mythical means occasionally – example, the ghost of Nora’s first dead lover to reveal her true feelings towards her pregnancy and first son, the film is intriguing in the manner of how past relationships improve future ones, if one is bold enough to effect a change. An excellent film full of life and spirit about life, complete with all is exhilaration and disappointments. (Screening: Feb 22 Mon 7 pm)