A South Kensington cultural hotspot is hosting the Beyond Words literature festival again this month.
Visitors to the London French Institute for the festival’s ninth edition can enjoy talks, readings, debates, book g sessions, films and post-screening discussions.
Well-known authors and artists are ed by new voices at the event, which is designed to promote French literature amongst English speakers.
Festival director and head of the institute’s books and humanities department Jérôme Chevrier said: “Beyond Words festival is not just for people interested in French or , or its culture
“It’s also a opportunity to discover new novels and meet authors.”
Among the new voices are Palestinian author Karim Kattan, who will be presenting his book The Palace on the Higher Hill.
The book has just been published in English and follows his return to his birth village in Palestine.
Chevrier, whose job is also to encourage English publishers to buy the rights for French books, said: “It’s his first novel and it is magnificent.”
Anne Berest, who attended last year’s edition with her book The Postcard, will be presenting her work Gabriële.
It features the life of her great grandmother and her relationships with artists Francis Picabia and Marcel Duchamp.
As the festival title suggests, however, this is not only about books.
Chevrier said: “We go beyond books, for instance with films adapted from books or plays.”
Among the films being shown is Hot Milk, featuring Emma Mackey and adapted from the book by Deborah Levy.
Chevrier added: “On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, I can only recommend the French movie Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, with two actors, one British and one Franco-British, who speak both languages perfectly.
“It’s a real feel-good movie.”
Acclaimed French author Emmanuel Carrère’s book on Russian writer and political dissident Eduard Limonov’s life has also been adapted to a Whishaw and will be screened at the insitute’s Ciné Lumière.
Head of marketing and communications Natacha Antolini said: “It’s a really strong film about a fascinating, larger-than-life character who actually existed.
“It’s directed by [Kirill] Serebrennikov, who’s also known for being a rather provocative director.”
Actor Ralph Fiennes and his sister filmmaker Sophie will attend a question and answer session after the screening of TS Eliot’s Four Quartets, featuring the actor committing the poetic masterpiece by memory.
Victor Hugo’s drawings, currently exhibited the Royal Academy of Arts will be discussed by curator Sarah Lea, Gérard Audinet, director of Victor Hugo houses in Paris and Guernsey, and University of Bristol French literature professor Bradley Stephens.
Antolini said: “Set in the beautiful art deco library and cinema, the festival aims to attract new audiences with each showing.
“Its intimate atmosphere, book gs, and post-film discussions offer a fantastic chance to connect with authors.”
Beyond Words runs until 17 May at the London French Institute at 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT.
Tickets cost from £5 with a student discount to £14, depend on the event and which day it is taking place.
For more information on the full festival programme, visit the institute’s website.
Picture credit: Beyond Words Festival
