Festivals - The American French Film Festival 2024: High School Screenings Program to Showcase The Count of Monte Cristo

By Mulder, 02 october 2024

The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) is once again fostering cultural exchange and cinematic appreciation with its annual High School Screenings Program. Now in its 17th year, the program continues its mission to introduce French cinema to young audiences across Southern California and beyond. This year's edition, running from October 28 to November 3 at the prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theater Complex in Los Angeles, will bring together 3,000 students from 60 schools, with some attendees traveling from as far as Park City, Utah.

The High School Screenings Program is sponsored by ELMA (European Languages & Movies in America) and remains free for all participants. The program will center around the screening of The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte-Cristo), a 2024 French period adventure/drama directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière. The film is based on the iconic 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas and stars Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantès, a man who transforms from a wrongfully imprisoned sailor into the vengeful and mysterious Count of Monte Cristo.

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the most ambitious French productions of the year, featuring breathtaking cinematography, powerful performances, and a captivating storyline that has resonated with audiences for over a century. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered widespread acclaim, and was released theatrically in France by Pathé in June. U.S. audiences will get their chance to see the film when Samuel Goldwyn Films releases it on December 20, but the students participating in TAFFF’s High School Screenings Program will have an exclusive opportunity to watch it in advance.

Delaporte and de La Patellière, the talented duo behind this cinematic adaptation, are no strangers to bringing complex, emotionally charged stories to the big screen. With The Count of Monte Cristo, they take on the challenge of adapting one of literature’s most well-known tales of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Their version remains faithful to the original novel, while adding a fresh, modern sensibility that makes the timeless story resonate with contemporary audiences. Pierre Niney’s portrayal of Edmond Dantès is both intense and nuanced, showcasing the character’s journey from innocence to bitterness and ultimately, justice. The supporting cast includes veteran French actors such as Patrick Mille, adding depth and richness to the ensemble.

The screening of The Count of Monte Cristo will be followed by live question and answer sessions with filmmakers Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, actor Patrick Mille, and composer Jérôme Rebotier. These interactive sessions will allow students to gain insights into the creative process behind the film, from the challenges of adapting a literary classic to the intricacies of composing a score that enhances the emotional impact of the story. The event is further enriched by a specially designed curriculum developed by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). This curriculum will help students explore key themes of the film, such as justice, revenge, and the transformative power of education, while also delving into the historical context of the story.

Anouchka van Riel, Deputy Director of The American French Film Festival, emphasized the significance of this year’s program: “The Count of Monte Cristo is the most expensive French production of 2024 and one of the highest-grossing. Whether students have read the classic novel or not, they will no doubt be swept up in the adventure, drama, and epic scale of this film. The story of Edmond Dantès speaks to universal themes of justice and self-discovery, which align perfectly with our festival's mission of exposing students to French cinema while encouraging thoughtful discussion afterward.”

Pascal Ladreyt, Founder of ELMA, added, “One of the founding principles of the High School Screenings Program was not only to expose students to foreign cinema early in their young lives but to broaden their horizons to ideas, people, and cultures outside their limited experiences. It’s about opening their minds. Many of the participants—over 35,000 in the last 16 years—are students of French, but this program is about so much more than just language lessons.”

In addition to being the centerpiece of the High School Screenings Program, The Count of Monte Cristo will serve as the Closing Night film for The American French Film Festival on November 3. Its screening will mark a grand conclusion to the week-long celebration of French and Francophone cinema in Los Angeles. The closing night event will be a fitting finale, showcasing the best of contemporary French filmmaking, with a film that captures the grandeur and emotional intensity of one of literature’s most enduring stories.

The American French Film Festival was created by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a unique collaboration between the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), France’s Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers of Music (SACEM), and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW). The festival, which celebrates its 28th edition this year, has long been a bridge between French and American cinema, promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

TAFFF is supported by a wide array of sponsors, including Air Tahiti Nui, Netflix, L’Oréal, Champagne Louis Roederer, and Variety, alongside educational partners like ELMA, which ensures the continued success of its educational programs. The event’s sponsors reflect the festival’s global influence and its deep connections within the entertainment and cultural sectors, with major partners like The Hollywood Reporter, France Télévisions, and Unifrance playing a significant role in the festival’s growth.

As the High School Screenings Program moves into its 17th year, its commitment to fostering a love for cinema, foreign languages, and cross-cultural exchange remains stronger than ever. The Count of Monte Cristo promises to be an unforgettable experience for students and the broader audience alike, as they are swept away by the story of Edmond Dantès’ quest for justice, redemption, and revenge.

Synopsis : 
The victim of a plot, young Edmond Dantès is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After fourteen years in the Château d'If, he manages to escape. Now immensely wealthy, he returns as the Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on the three men who betrayed him.

The Count of Monte-Cristo
Written and directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthieu Delaporte
Produced by Dimitri Rassam, Jérôme Seydoux, Ardavan Safaee
Starring Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Oscar Lesage, Anaïs Demoustier, Anamaria Vartolomei, Laurent Lafitte, Pierfrancesco Favino, Patrick Mille, Bruno Raffaelli, Françoise Gazio, Vassili Schneider, Julien De Saint-Jean, Axel Baille
Cinematography : Nicolas Bolduc
Art Design : Stéphane Taillasson
Costumes : Thierry Delettre
Edited by Célia Lafitedupont
Production companies: Chapter 2, Pathé Films
Distributed by Pathé Distribution (France)
Release date : May, 22 2024 (Cannes Film Festival), June, 28 2024 (France)
Running time : 173 minutes

(Source: press release)