As you may have gathered from our logo, we embrace Detroit’s French roots. We are fans of France in general, and French film in particular. So we’re pleased to present four contemporary Francophone films in February: Pauline détective, Mariage à Mendoza, Girl on a bicycle, and Vic + Flo ont vu un ours. Technically it starts this Friday, January 31…something to consider if you’re looking for a break from Super Bowl hype or endless winter weather.

January 31
Pauline détective
NR – 101 min – Tickets $7
Pauline is the editor of a true crime magazine. When her boyfriend dumps her, her sister takes her to the Italian Riviera for a much-needed vacation. But Pauline’s occupation won’t let her rest…she sees potential stories everywhere and starts detecting when an eccentric woman disappears from their hotel. This is light and funny. Think Almodóvar meets “Murder, She Wrote” in a screwball comedy at the beach.

Fri, Jan. 31: 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 01: 5:00, 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 02: 4:30, 7:00 p.m.
Thurs, Feb. 06: 7:30 p.m.
HELD OVER
Fri, Feb. 07: 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 08: 5:30, 7:30 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 09: 5:30, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs, Feb. 13: 7:30, 9:30 p.m.

February 07
Mariage à Mendoza
NR – 91 min – Tickets $7
Marcus and his brother Antoine head to Argentina for their cousin’s wedding. Marcus is thrilled to be traveling and determined to have fun, while Antoine is depressed after being dumped by his wife. As they discover Argentina’s nightlife, vineyards, and eccentric citizenry, they find themselves in situations that are comic and dangerous by turns. A road comedy/drama with a French twist.

Fri, Feb. 07: 7:00, 9:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 08: 7:00, 9:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 09: 5:00, 7:00 p.m.
Thurs, Feb. 13: 7:00, 9:00 p.m.

February 14
Girl on a bicycle
Rated R – 101 min – Tickets $7
Paolo, an Italian who drives a Paris tour bus, has just proposed to his true love, German flight attendant Greta, when French model Cécile stops next to his bus on her bicycle – and, in short order, Paolo, following some very bad advice from his friend, Brit Derek, finds himself with a German fiancée, a French “wife”, two Australian children who call him “Papa”, and his life upside-down. Gorgeously filmed in Paris, this is a romantic comedy with a talented international cast: Vincenzo Amato (Italy), Nora Tschirner (Germany), Louise Monot (France), and Paddy Considine (UK).

Fri, Feb. 14: 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 15: 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 16: 7:30 p.m.
Thurs, Feb. 20: 9:30 p.m.

February 21
Vic + Flo ont vu un ours (Vic + Flo Saw a Bear)
NR – 95 min – Tickets $7
Victoria is a parolee who retreats to her ailing uncle’s sugar shack in the Quebec woods. She is joined by current love interest and fellow ex-con Florence. Vic and Flo’s attempts at a peaceful life are constantly interrupted by Vic’s parole officer and an intrusive neighbor. Eventually, pesky people create insurmountable problems for the couple. This film is a mix of drama, noir, and dark humor that defies easy categorization, but Pierrette Robitaille’s and Romane Bohringer’s excellent performances as the title characters are the film’s power. Winner 2013 Silver Bear Berlin International Film Festival.

Fri, Feb. 21: 7:00, 9:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 22: 5:00, 7:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 23: 5:00, 7:00 p.m.
Thurs, Feb. 27: 7:00, 9:00 p.m.