FilmsWeLike, the independent distribution company headed by filmmaker Ron Mann is pleased to announce that Le Havre, Aki Kaurismäki’s acclaimed Cannes 2011 favourite and winner of that festival’s FIPRESCI Prize will premiere at TIFF on Thursday, September 8, 2011, 9:30pm at the VISA Screening Room (Elgin). A political fairy tale that takes inspiration from the French cinema of the 1930s, Le Havre finds Kaurismäki working in France for the first time since his 1992 art house hit La Vie de Boheme.

In this warm-hearted portrait of the harbor city that gives the film its name, fate throws young African refugee Idrissa (newcomer Blondin Miguel) into the path of Marcel Marx (André Wilms, Europa Europa), a well-spoken bohemian who works as a shoe-shiner. With innate optimism and the unwavering solidarity of his community, Marcel stands up to officials doggedly pursuing the boy for deportation. In addition to Wilms and Miguel, Le Havre stars Kati Outinen (The Man Without a Past) and Jean-Pierre Darroussin (A Very Long Engagement). Le Havre was co-produced by Fabienne Vonier (The Barbarian Invasions) and Reinhard Brundig (Winged Migration).

Kaurismäki has cast André Wilms in four of his films; La Vie de Boheme, Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses, Juha and now Le Havre.

FilmsWeLike is Canadian distributor for Le Havre. Founded by award-winning documentary filmmaker Ron Mann, (Grass, Comic Book Confidential) Films We Like is a boutique distributor of documentary, independent and international films in Canada. Recent releases include: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, Bill Cunningham New York, and the Cannes Palme D'or winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. Upcoming releases include Pearl Jam Twenty, Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles, A Matter of Taste, and Le Havre.

After TIFF, Le Havre will play at VIFF and festivals in Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax and Montreal. It will begin its Canadian release in Toronto on Friday, November 4 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Running Time: 93 minutes
French with English subtitles

Press Screenings:
Thursday, August 25, 10:30am, Varsity
Monday, August 29, 11am, TIFF BLB (TBC, restricted to accredited TIFF media)

Press + Industry Screenings:
Friday, September 9, 9:15am, Scotiabank 3

TIFF Screenings:
Thursday, September 8, 9:30pm, Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
Friday, September 9, 1:00pm, Jackman Hall, AGO


To Book Interviews with Andre Wilms on September 8, 9, 10
Media Contact: V Kelly & Assoc, 416-466-9799, info@vkpr.ca

LE HAVRE (Trailer) from filmswelike on Vimeo.

Tags: TIFF, Press Release