WINGED MIGRATION takes viewers on a remarkable airborne adventure, part of Jacques Perrin tribute at FIAF
French Institute Alliance Française
Florence Gould Hall
55 East 59th St. between Madison & Park Aves.
Tuesday, January 31, $10
212-355-6160
www.fiaf.org
FIAF’s January CinémaTuesdays presentation, “Jacques Perrin: Renaissance Man,” comes to a close today with screenings of a pair of magnificent visual treats narrated by French actor, producer, and director Jacques Perrin. Microcosmos (le peuple de l’herbe) (Claude Nuridsany & Marie Pérennou, 1996) begins above the clouds before swooping down to the ground for spectacular close-ups of insects going about their business, interacting with nature and experiencing a rainstorm. The gorgeous film, being shown at 12:30 and 7:30 in Florence Gould Hall, captured five César Awards, with Perrin being named Best Producer. Even more remarkable is Winged Migration (Le peuple migrateur) (Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud & Michel Debats, 2001), screening at 4:00, which begins on the ground and in the trees before taking to the sky, following the migration of Canadian geese and other flocks of birds, flying alongside them, taking viewers on a remarkable adventure. You’ll find it impossible to believe that the Oscar-nominated documentary, narrated and codirected by Perrin, was made without any special effects involved in the filming of the birds. Produced by Perrin’s Galatée Films company, Winged Migration and Microcosmos are stunning cinematic experiences that need to be seen on the big screen. And while at FIAF, be sure to stop by the gallery, currently displaying Eric Fonteneau’s site-specific installation “La Bibliothèque.”