Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist is not only a throw back to the days before people spoke in films; it almost makes you wonder why we ever added sound in the first place. Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo shine as the film's two leads able to say more with a look or a soft shoe than most of us can in 140 characters. It's Hollywood in 1927. George Valentin (Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies. Filmed in stunning black-and-white, The Artist takes us back to a time when men wore suits, women wore hats and a simple dance could lead to love.

NOMINATED for 10 ACADEMY AWARDS incl BEST FILM, BEST ACTOR and BEST DIRECTOR

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Martha (Elizabeth Olsen ) is a young woman rapidly unravelling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a cult and its charismatic leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and her brother-in-law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha’s reality and delusion begins to blur. A powerful psychological thriller.

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The Festival with that certain je ne sais quoi returns to Palace Nova Eastend from TUESDAY MARCH 20 to SUNDAY APRIL 8.

Launching the 2012 Festival will be DECLARATION OF WAR (La guerre est déclarée) a powerful tale selected as France's official submission for the 2012 Academy Awards. Based on real-life events, DECLARATION OF WAR is the compelling tale of a young Parisian couple whose carefree existence is suddenly shattered by an unexpected twist of fate. A massive box office success in its native France, this is just one of the fantastic 45 films and documentaries on offer in this year's line-up, which will also include a closing night presentation of François Truffault's 1980 classic, THE LAST METRO starring Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu and Jean Poiret. Winner of 10 César Awards, THE LAST METRO embodies all that is great about French cinema and, like the Festival, has stood the test of time.

The 2012 programme incorporates 9 eclectic sections dedicated to a host of universal themes, certain to entice the 'bon vivant' in us all! DOWNLOAD PDF PROGRAMME HERE (6mb)

For further information, visit www.affrenchfilmfestival.org