Champion of Franco-British Film in Dinard hits 30 years

The Dinard Film Festival's 30th anniversary opening was marked by the official announcement that its artistic director for three decades, Hussam Hindi was stepping down. His successor's name has not been revealed.

The Dinard Film Festival's 30th anniversary Union Jack Flag is seen all around the Brittany seaside resort from 25th to 29th December, 2019 Rosslyn Hyams/RFI

Hindi has nonetheless put together an intense five-day 30th programme of old and new films, budding and established directors and chosen six films to compete for the slick Golden Hitchcock Award, as well as a David Bowie, music-star-in-films focus and the latest Mike Leigh Film, Peterloo.

Other previews at Dinard this year include Red Joan with Judi Dench directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, Ken Loach's Sorry We Missed You and Jessica Hausner's Little Joe, both of which premièred at Cannes in May.

Opening film an unusual spy story

The festival's official opening film on Thursday night was Official Secrets directed by South African Gavin Hood of Tsotsi (2006) fame.

Official Secrets stars Keira Knightly as Katharine Gun, an English whistleblower. Gun's aim was to prevent Britiain joining the US in declaring the war in Iraq in 2003 on the basis of un-proven suspicion about Saddam Hussein hiding weapons of mass destruction.

Keira Knightly plays the lead role of Katharine Gun in Gavin Hood's 'Official Secrets', the opening film at the Dinard Film Festival Gavin Hood

Hood has built a strong narrative film on the basis of a book about the case. He follows the young woman's determination, trauma and personal struggle with authorities because she is accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act. He also puts the role of the media at that time under serious scrutiny.

Ralph Fiennes, with casual brilliance plays Gun's persistent defence lawyer.

Official Secrets releases on the other side of the Channel in the UK on 18 October 2019.

French actress and writer Sandrine Bonnaire (L) chairs the Golden Hitchcock Jury at the Dinard Film Festival hosted by Mayor Jean-Claude Mahé who opened the Festival on 26 September 2019 Rosslyn Hyams/RFI English

Hitchock in their sights

The Franco-British jury led this year by French actress and playwright Sandrine Bonnaire are considering six films for the Golden Hitchcock award.

• Animals - Sophie Hyde
• Cordelia - Adrian Shergold
• Only You - Harry Wootlif
• The Keeper - Marcus Rosenmullen
• The Last Tree - Shola Amoo
• Vs - Ed Lilly

Last year's winner was Jellyfish a social drama directed by James Gardner.

Dinard bids farewell to holidaymaker Chirac

Dinard's special day was marked by the news on Thursday of the death of conservative former French president, Jacques Chirac. The 83 year-old had been known for his ability to speak English and the the mayor of Dinard in Brittany paid a friendly tribute saying "he was a frequent visitor who sat like any other person on a terrace and would happily have his photo taken. Dinard will miss him," said Jean-Claude Mahé.