Speeches
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Opening Night of Alliance Française French Film Festival
Bonsoir tout le monde!
Je suis très heureux d'être parmi vous ce soir avec mon mari Rod pour la soirée d'ouverture du festival de cinéma Alliance Française d'Adélaïde.
Peut-être plus de français dans quelques minutes, mais pour le moment je vais continuer à l'anglais…
The Alliance Française French Film Festival, one of the most popular film festivals in Adelaide and, some are surprised to learn, the biggest French film festival outside of France.
France can be considered the home of the global cinema in that it was the brothers Lumiere who are credited with the first recorded projection of moving film in 1895.
And France has since been home to giants of world cinema from the genius of Jean Renoir, members of the nouvelle vague like Godard and Truffaut, to contemporary figures like Luc Besson and Claire Denis.
As a former diplomat and now as Governor, I appreciate the work of the festival in strengthening cultural connections between France and Australia, as well as encouraging language learning and intercultural understanding - a reminder that cinema, like diplomacy, has a unique power to build bridges across cultures and geographies.
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the French Film Festival both in Adelaide and occasionally in Canberra[1].
Last year, a friend and I attended the screening of Monsieur Aznavour — an absorbing portrait of one of France's most enduring and beloved singers.
The film's exploration of the performer’s psychology and inner drive, and his restless pursuit of something beyond fame, stayed with us for some time.
In many ways this is the hallmark of French cinema: taking us into the inner lives of human beings, with their contradictions, their desires, their grief and their joy - all without drawing easy conclusions.
The 2026 festival offers similar depth and intrigue, with an outstanding program spanning comedy, thrillers, period drama and more.
In addition to this evening’s Colours of Time, I’m sure many of you will return for more films, such as the ‘Centrepiece Premiere’ of The Richest Woman in the World with Isabelle Huppert[2].
Rod and I had the great pleasure of seeing Isabelle Huppert as Mary Queen of Scots earlier this month during the Adelaide Festival. It was a stunning performance.
This year marks the 37th French Film Festival, and I thank Alliance Française for its dedication to curating and delivering this festival nationally every year.
I also thank Alliance Française Adelaide for coordinating the local program with care and commitment.
I am heartened to see the festival once again reaching regional South Australian audiences, with screenings in Victor Harbor and Renmark, enabling more South Australians to enjoy contemporary French culture.
It’s great to see the festival also has a schools screening program, introducing students to the beauty of the French language and of French cinema.
Friends,
I thank the Alliance Française, too, for its vital role in sharing and promoting French language and culture across South Australia, fostering the kind of international exchange that enriches our community and keeps South Australia connected to the world.
As Patron of Community Language Schools in South Australia, Rod is grateful for your delivery of French classes to young South Australians, as am I.
Nous pensons qu'apprendre une autre langue est à la fois l'une des plus grandes joies de la vie et, surtout, une source de nouvelles perspectives.
Cela dit, Rod et moi vous souhaitons à tous, chers francophiles, un festival vraiment agréable et mémorable !
[1] Remove if not accurate.