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I Kiffe NY
French Urban Cultures Festival
October 6–28, 2008
Produced by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy
Honorary Chairpersons: Vincent Cassel and Melvin Van Peebles
Co-presented by FIAF |
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FIAF is
proud to co-present I Kiffe NY, a new festival produced
by the Cultural Services of the
French Embassy that
focuses on the incredible vitality of French youth
culture. Borrowed from Arabic, “kiffe” is
French slang that means to love—or be absolutely crazy about—someone or
something. The word, like so much of French urban culture,
was born in the banlieue and has since swept the
nation, much like hip-hop, rap, parkour, forms of dance,
etc. With so much inspiration drawn from American street
attitudes, the ties to New York are strong to say the
least. I Kiffe
NY is a powerful testament to these latest forms of transcultural artistic
expression. |
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CinémaTuesdays
I
Kiffe NY: French Urban Cultures
Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21 & 28
A selection of films from young, independent directors that place the issues and concerns
of the banlieues at the forefront of French culture, as well as presenting intimate
portraits of families and friends in the urban environment.
More Info |
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Performing Arts
Littlestories.com
Accrorap
Friday & Saturday, October 10 & 11 at 8pm
Kader Attou’s hip-hop ensemble,
Accrorap, demonstrates
an ability to combine cultural influences, creating
a response to societal dissatisfaction both at home
and abroad. Through Littlestories.com, Accrorap creates a dance
that communicates
a will to survive.
More Info |
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Talks/Cinéma
Banlieues With Attitude
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12
Starting at 11:30am
Discover the world of French banlieues: from fascination to rejection this culture
defies definition through its constant evolution and shifting boundaries. French and American scholars present the ambivalence maintained by the current perception of French urban realities through screenings and discussions.
More Info |
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Performing Arts
That’s Life!?
Pockemon Crew
Friday, October 17 at 8pm
Saturday, October 18 at 2pm
Pockemon Crew, one of France’s premier and award-winning dance ensembles,
performs That’s Life!?, a visual event that juxtaposes the French urban experience with the multiple traditions that influenced the dancers, from cabaret to traditional Arabic music.
More Info |
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Visual Arts
Denis Darzacq:
The Fall
October 17–November 20
In conjunction with I Kiffe NY, the FIAF Gallery presents Denis Darzacq’s exhibition, The
Fall, which explores the instability of youth culture through a series of photographs
and videos.
More Info |
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Off-site Events |
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A Way of Using
Vernacular
Language
Monday, October 6 at 5pm
Writer Frédéric Valabrègue and NYU professor Emmanuelle Ertel discuss the new vernacular
emerging from the Marseille suburbs and how constant shifts in language impact writers.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Nubian Voyager:
Les Nubians presents Echos
Thursday, October 9 at 7:30pm
The Grammy-nominated R&B French duo Les Nubians presents poetry performances from promising
French and American urban-underground poets.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Jérôme Lagarrigue:
Portraits
Thursday, October 9–Thursday, October 30
A series of portraits inspired by the streets, music, and sports, Mr. Lagarrigue’s exhibition
embodies the spirit of I Kiffe NY.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Rap Politics:
Sociology of
French Urban Culture Today
Tuesday, October 14 at 12:30pm
Sociologist Anthony Pecqueux discusses the creation of artistic exchange in rap music between
artist and audience. Based on the power of language, rap has influenced a generation of listeners,
establishing communal bonds beyond their intended urban boundaries.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Fabien Verschaere
Tuesday, October 14–Tuesday, October 28
Fabien Verschaere brings his personal mythology, articulated through his works on paper and
wall drawings, to an exhibition at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Urban Cultures
in France
and the United States
Wednesday, October 15 at 6pm
A panel of French artists, filmmakers, and academics explore how youth who live in underprivileged
areas use street art, such as hip-hop, rap, and tagging to express their anger and hope. Featuring
the documentary, We Aren’t Cheap Brands.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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French New Talents
at CMJ
Friday, October 24 at 7pm
As part of the CMJ Music Marathon, Hiro Ballroom presents the latest talents from the French
music scene: La Caution; Wax Tailor; Mangu.
For venue & ticketing information, visit frenchculture.org. |
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Festival
Presenters:
CMJ Music Marathon, French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), Hiro Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, Maison
Française New York University, Medgar Evers College, Power House Arena, Lio Malca Gallery,
and Galerie VU.
Festival Sponsors:
Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Florence Gould
Foundation, FACE (French American Cultural Exchange),
Fondation Jean-Luc Lagardère, CulturesFrance, BNP Paribas,
TV5 Monde, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Galerie Enrico Navarra,
Galerie Philippe Gravier, French Music Export Office
in NY, Playbill, Région
Franche-Comté, Région Rhône-Alpes, and ArteEast.
FIAF Season Sponsors:
American Airlines is
the official airline of FIAF; The Florence Gould Foundation; Cinéma programs are made possible
with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency
Special Media Partner: TRACE Magazine
Graphic: © Fabien Verschaere (I Kiffe NY), 2008 |
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