As the world’s most famous film festival kicks off, Helen Barlow selects some of the highlights

As she gets ready to present her film in Cork, Manal Issa is doing her best not to get swept up in the hype around her as one of French cinema’s brightest new stars, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

His multi-million selling book, Earth From Above, began an odyssey for Yann Arthus-Bertrand that has brought him to Cork to show his film as part of the city’s celebration of French cinema, says Alan O’Riordan

Cork composer Irene Buckley will have her score to a 1920s silent film performed in Bandon this week, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Five things from the worlds of arts, culture and film to keep you occupied this week

Fresh from its nomination at the Oscars, ‘Mustang’ opens the Cork French Film festival, writes Helen Barlow

 

There’s a distinctive foodie flavour to this year’s Cork French Film Festival, with a feast of cinematic offerings being nicely complemented with events showcasing the Gallic nation’s legendary cuisine.

The buzz word in the wine world is ‘natural’. While many of the best wines are made with minimal interference, producers of natural wines are more rigorous.

MUSIC NEWS: Reginald D Hunter’s series, Songs of the South, is essential viewing for music fans tomorrow night (BBC Two, 9pm), and this second episode is all the more attractive because it is followed by a new documentary on James Brown. 

Mathieu Amalric once spent time in Cork nursing a broken heart, but now the star is back on Leeside to present his new film writes Marjorie Brennan

MUSIC NEWS: Hot Press reports heavily pregnant Irish singer Samantha Mumba, 32, had a lucky escape from a three-car pile up in LA, with mother and baby fine, even though her car is a write-off. 

Des O’Driscoll reveals what he expects will be the arts and entertainment  highlights of spring 2015.

Cork’s programme for Culture Night is bigger and better than ever, writes Colette Sheridan

Neil Brand is a special guest at Cork French Film Festival this week, says Alan O’Riordan

Rosalie Varda-Demy will launch a special programme of her stepfather Jacques Demy’s work at Cork French Film Festival on Sunday, says Joe Dermody

Much of this year’s Cork French Film Festival is about “using music to meander through French classics”, according to Paul Callanan, who has programmed the 25th anniversary event.

Cork French Film Festival celebrates its 25th birthday in style, writes Colette Sheridan

IN the arts, January is a quiet month. Yet last week, I saw two major plays, Druid’s production of Dion Boucicault’s The Colleen Bawn and the revival of Martin McDonagh’s A Skull in Connemara.

Vincent Cassel in La Haine, the film that made his name and which is as provocative today as it was in 1995.

CHRIS Marker’s La Jetée was one of the first films made with still rather than moving images.

THE 24th Cork French Film Festival begins on Sunday (Mar 3).

MUSIC NEWS: David Bowie (inset) caused quite a stir with his recent release of a single on his 66th birthday, and over the next few weeks we’ll get a proper chance to see if the Brixton boy still has some talent, or whether he should just make the most of his free travel pass.

This year’s Cork French Film Festival is set to ooze more style and atmosphere than usual.

Reality television has many ethical question marks hanging over its short history, says Colette Sheridan , who puts the dark side of light entertainment under the spotlight

Theatrical legends Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod tell Pádraic Killeen about signing up Robert Pattinson to star in their screen debut

The Artist’s Oscar success is also good news for The Cork French Film Festival. Its line-up boasts some real gems, Carl Dixon reports

A stellar line-up of classic and contemporary French cinema is planned for next month’s Cork French Film Festival.

ARTS

Movie star Christopher Lambert will appear at the 21st Cork French Film Festival, organisers have announced at their programme launch in Cork’s City Hall.

BROODING screen legend Christopher Lambert will be the guest of honour at the 21st Cork French Film Festival later this month.

CORK city is set for take-off this weekend with a 3.5-tonne fireworks display to mark its tenure as European Capital of Culture.

Cork city is set for take-off this weekend with a 3.5 tonne fireworks display to mark its tenure as European Capital of Culture, it was revealed today.