New York, February 18, 2015 – The Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York will host a group photo exhibition featuring works by film directors, cinematographers, photographers, and actors such as Raymond Depardon, Agnès Godard, and Ed Lachman from March 10 to April 10, 2015, transporting the Parisian concept of the Galerie Cinema – an art gallery devoted to cinema – to a new American audience.The French Embassy’s Stanford White-designed mansion will showcase the work of directors Cédric Klapisch, Atiq Rahimi, cinematographers Ed Lachman and Agnès Godard, actors James Franco and Vincent Perez, photographers Kate Barry and Harry Gruyaert, and director-photographer Raymond Depardon.  An opening reception will take place on March 9, 2015.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.This exhibition is part of the special events program to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, the Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance films’ celebrated annual showcase of the best in contemporary French film that will sweep across screens at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the IFC Center, and BAMcinématek from March 6 to 15.Said Deputy Cultural Counselor Thomas Michelon, “The Galerie Cinema combines two essential mediums for French culture – film and photography – and gives New Yorkers an inside look into the modes of creativity that make France’s heart beat. Rare work of artists like Ed Lachman and Cédric Klapisch make this diverse gallery a must-see.”

Parisian producer Anne-Dominique Toussaint opened the first Galerie Cinema in Paris’ Marais district in September 2013.Said Anne-Dominique Toussaint, “Displaying the work of multi-talented artists in the magnificent French Embassy mansion is, for me, not only a great honor but also a natural way of expanding my gallery in Paris.  Cinema and art create universal and permanent bridges, and Paris and New York interact as two beacons of contemporary creativity.”The inaugural New York Galerie Cinema exhibition reinforces the French Embassy’s mission to promote French-American intellectual and creative exchange.The temporary New York exhibition organized with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy is made possible by Le Fonds Culturel Franco-Américain (DGA/MPA/SACEM/WGAW), Natixis, and the optics manufacturer Angénieux. Support is provided by the Aperture Foundation.