In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Valérie Lemercier presents the film “Noah’s Ark” at the 10th edition of the International Film Festival

Every year, a good number of directors and actors come to defend their film in competition at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz International Film Festival or simply present it in preview, out of competition, like Valérie Lemercier. The actress plays in Noah’s ark. This feature film by Bryan Marciano tells the story of an association which welcomes young LGBT people put on the street by their families. A comedy that isn’t really one. Valerie Lemercier plays Noelle, the director who helps young lesbian, gay and transgender people. A counter role for the actress. “Always do the same role no. The idea was above all not to act like a bourgeois woman who comes to do her good works on Sunday. That was absolutely not it. I wanted to sink into his world, to have the impression of being part of it, of not being a stain, so I always try, I hope, to be fair ” emphasizes Valérie Lermercier.

The actress presented this dramatic comedy in the presence of the director then met the public visibly touched by this often painful subject of adolescents abandoned by their families because of their homosexuality or their transidentity. “I loved the film because it was very well done.” says a young spectator“the actors and actresses are perfect. “I would like this film to help change mentalities.”

The festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year

Since its creation, the festival has given pride of place to young filmmakers by showing their first and second films, long or short. The numbers speak for themselves :pRoughly 250 films screened, more than 350 professionals welcomed and more than thirty master classes organized. Also workshops and meetings. This year, 10 international fiction feature films are selected in competition. 8 French fiction short films with a maximum duration of 20 minutes are also included.

For its 10th edition, the public is still there for this festival which has established itself over the years. “The day the ticket office opened we sold 2700 seats so even we were stunned by this kind of tidal wave, the screenings are systematically full” underlines Patrick Fabre, the programmer of the “Cinéma d’avenir” festival.

Noah’s Ark will hit screens on November 22. Also presented out of competition, the screening of the feature film “La vie de ma Mère” by Julien Carpentier will close the 10th edition of the Saint-Jean-de-Luz International Film Festival.