NEWS: French Film Fest @ The Witham, Barnard Castle

Partial to a bit of Nouvelle Vague, or love watching a classic example of Cinema Du Papa? Then Barnard Castle is the ideal destination for your cinematic pleasure as The Witham host a French Film Festival over the next few weeks. Tying into the exhibition of the designer’s best work at the nearby Bowes Museum, one of the first films to be screened at the festival is the biopic Yves Saint Laurent. Set in Paris in 1957, the 21-year-old designer copes with being catapulted into the limelight as he is named as the successor to the recently deceased Christian Dior. The film follows the designer’s attempts to democratise fashion in the 60s while also battling personal demons and building an empire that would be known across the world.

Over the following weeks, there comes numerous screenings of classic French films, including Luis Bunuel’s tale of a reluctant high-end prostitute Belle Du Jour, L’Amour Fou‘s slab of decadence and high fashion, Luchino Visconti’s masterpiece The Leopard, and Bois De Boulogne, chosen by Laurent’s partner Pierre Berge as one of the designer’s favourite films. No lover of French cinema, past or present, will want to miss out.

The French Film Festival takes place at The Witham, Barnard Castle from Friday 17th July. Find out more about screening times and dates on The Witham’s website.