A free screening of an Oscar nominated film based on the love life of one of Victor Hugo’s daughters is being held this weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of its release.
‘The Story of Adèle H’ was released in 1975, starring Isabelle Adjani who was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance as Hugo’s fifth and youngest child.
While living in Guernsey during her father’s exile from France, Adèle grew infatuated with British army officer Albert Andrew Pinson. François Truffaut’s film tells the story of what happened next.
This Saturday’s screening has been sponsored by the Saffery Trust and will be hosted by the Victor Hugo Centre and the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society.
The event will feature presentations about Adèle Hugo’s life and Truffaut’s choice to document it in this film.
A locally made documentary by Lars Janssen will also premiere during the afternoon before the feature film screening.
The event is being held at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts, before a celebration dinner at the Pandora Hotel in the evening.
Presentations during the afternoon event will include guest speakers Laura El Makki; author of the award-winning ‘Adèle Hugo, ses écrits, son histoire’, and Diana Holmes; Emerita Professor of French at the University of Leeds and film scholar.
There will be a question and answer session following their talks and the screening of Mr Janssen’s documentary before the original film is shown.
Dinah Bott, Chair of the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society, said: “Join us in commemorating this landmark film, shot almost entirely in Guernsey - an Oscar-nominated record of Guernsey places and people from 50 years ago. We will hear about its enigmatic subject and her tragic life, her relationship with her father, why celebrated French director François Truffaut decided to make the film, and how he came to make Guernsey successfully stand in for Halifax, Nova Scotia, using a bevy of local actors in the process.”
Larry Malcic, Chair of the Victor Hugo Centre, commented: “This celebration recalls a unique time 50 years ago when our island appeared on cinema screens around the world; an example of how Guernsey continues to benefit from Victor Hugo’s global reputation.”
Tickets are available through Guernsey Tickets or the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts. Tickets for the film screening are free but need to be booked in advance.
Free tickets to the afternoon presentations are available for students, with more information available from laura@vhc.gg.
Tickets for the celebration meal can be booked directly with the Pandora on 01481 720971.