Highlander star to attend film festival

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

The French movie star, 52, best known for his roles in The Highlander and Subway, will jet in to attend the Irish premiere of his latest movie, Cartegna, along with its director, Alain Monne, which will open the festival.

Lambert has also agreed to a question and answer session with the public before a screening of Subway at the Gate Cineplex.

The festival’s manager Helene Duquin said: “We targeted more the directors and screenwriters — but this is the first time we have invited an actor and to get such a big name is amazing.”

Guillaume Laurant, the screenwriter of the movie, Amelie, and Pierre-Henri Deleau, the founder of the Director’s Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, will also attend.

Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy, who speaks fluent French, will launch the festival programme at noon today.

“Fuelled by the imagination of artists, the Cork French Film Festival has a passionate belief in the power of film to unite cultures and generations,” he said.

The festival runs from February 28 to March 7 and is sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy. It will see screenings at up to seven venues across the city and county, including the Opera House, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Ballymaloe House.

* www.corkfrenchfilmfestival.com