Films on the Green, the free summer outdoor French film festival produced annually in New York City parks by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy has unveiled its 2019 program. This season the focus is on “Women behind the Camera” in honor of Agnès Varda, feminist filmmaker and pioneer of the French New Wave, who passed away earlier this year.

The series begins on May 31 at Central Park (79th St & Fifth Ave) with Coco Before Chanel by Anne Fontaine. And just like the previous years, the festival wants to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community of New York by proposing a French film in Spanish with English subtitles. July 10 at J. Hood Wright Park will feature The Amazing Catfish (Los insólitos peces gato)/ Directed by Claudia Sainte-Luce, 2013, 1h35, France-Mexico / With Lisa Owen, Ximena Ayala, Sonia Franco.

Martha, a mother of four rambunctious and imaginative children, finds solace upon meeting Claudia, a younger woman trying to figure out her purpose in life. The two quickly become friends and Martha invites Claudia to come live with her family. When Martha’s health declines, the bond Claudia has with each member of the family is forced to be tested, giving opportunity for true, strong relationships to be created.  Presented in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, the Instituto Cervantes, Cinema Tropical, and Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders.

Starting May 31, the festival is free and open to the public. More information here: http://frenchculture.org/about-us/press-room/9828-2019-films-green-program-unveiled