For many, contact with other languages and cultures is difficult to encounter. Taking a foreign language course or studying abroad is one of the best ways to study other cultures.

However, if studying abroad is not possible, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers students a portal into French culture and language through the Festival of Films in French. It is important to note that the festival does not center exclusively on the country of France, but the existence of French-speaking people worldwide.

This year, the festival included 14 Milwaukee premiers, and 12 out of the 15 films were offered free to the public, subtitled in English. In addition, 10 of the films were followed by a talkback to discuss and gain further insight into the film.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the French Film Festival, which, accordingly has been renamed to mark the milestone. This was also the first festival of the year at UWM.

One highlight of the festival included the presence of filmmaker Louise Archambault and principle actor Macha Grenon in the film “Familia.” Winner of the Best First Canadian Feature at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, “Familia” follows the story of two reunited childhood friends and the relationship their daughters form. “Familia” is a feature film first for director Archambault, a Concordia University graduate.

The festival included films for everyone. From the typically independent, to 1920s silent films, the variety of films is one of the reasons the festival has had such staying power. On Wednesday the 14 and Thursday the 15, the festival featured comedies, the former a more classical one set during WWII, and the latter a modern comedy about a 28-year-old who refuses to leave home, much to the chagrin of his parents. Both of these films are well known “staple” films in France, much as “The Three Amigos” is in the United States.

Finally, to cap off the festival, was a Fundraising Feast at Elliot“s Bistro to raise the money needed to keep the majority of the festival free to the public.

The wrap up of this year“s festival has certainly been a success, as it has been for nine years previously. For those of you who missed this year“s event, mark it on your calendar for next year, and keep upcoming festivals in mind. UWM offers a great service to students by offering such festivals. The festivals should be taken advantage of to their fullest.

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