La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in March, including screenings of two recent French films as part of “Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2009” on March 7 and 9, followed by Q&A’s with the films’ directors. Events take place at La Maison Française and are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. For further information, call 212.998.8750 or visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.

A schedule of events follows:

  • Mon., Mar. 2, 7 p.m. Panel discussion: “Rethinking 19th Century French Studies: Smuggling, Scams, and Semites” with Emily Apter, NYU; Maurice Samuels, Yale; and Richard Sieburth, NYU.
  • Tues., Mar. 3, 6 p.m. Lecture: “Le Corbusier: Latest News from the Front” by Jean-Louis Cohen, NYU; curator, “L’Aventure Le Corbusier” (1987, Centre Georges Pompidou). Note venue: The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl. Reservations: www.aiany.org. Co-sponsored by the AIA-New York.
  • Thurs., Mar. 5, 7 p.m. Lecture: “L’Avenir appartient aux fantômes: Jacques Derrida et les spectres” by Yves Hersant, director, Group de recherches sur l’Europe, EHESS. In French.
  • Sat., Mar. 7, 4 p.m. Film screening: Seraphine (France/Belgium, 2008, 125 min). Part of “Rendez-Vous with French Cinema.” Yolande Moreau stars as outsider artist Séraphine de Senlis in first-time director Martin Provost’s ambitious biopic. New York premiere. Followed by a Q&A with Provost. Note venue: IFC Center, 323 Ave. of the Americas (at W. 3rd St.). Admission: $12.50, general public; $10, NYU ID.
  • Mon., Mar. 9, 7 p.m. Film screening: The Apprentice/L’apprenti (France, 2008, 82 min.). Part of “Rendez-Vous with French Cinema.” On the boundary of fiction and documentary, this film (in its North American premiere) follows 15-year-old Matthieu as he develops a close relationship with farm owner and mentor Paul that provides a partial refuge from the emotional chaos of his parents’ failed marriage. Followed by a Q&A with director Samuel Collardey. Note venue: IFC Center, 323 Ave. of the Americas (at W. 3rd St.). Admission: $12.50, general public; $10, NYU ID.
  • Tues., Mar. 10, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Translating Contemporary French Poetry” by Marilyn Hacker, poet; translator of Marie Etienne’s Roi des Cent Cavaliers/King of a Hundred Horsemen (FSG, 2008; Robert Fagles Translation Prize of the National Poetry Series).
  • Wed., Mar. 11, 6:30 p.m. Institute of French Studies colloquium: “The Raphaël Lévy Case: An Accusation of ‘Ritual Murder’ in 17th Century France” by Pierre Birnbaum, Université de Paris I; author of L’Affaire Raphaël Lévy, Metz, 1669.
  • Thurs., Mar. 26, 6:30 p.m. Round table: “Translating as a Profession: From the 1970’s to the Present” with Gisèle Sapiro, CNRS, Paris; Esther Allen, Center for Literary Translation, Columbia University; Linda Asher, translator; Jeanine Herman, translator; Judith Miller, chair, NYU Dept. of French. In English and French.
  • Mon., Mar. 30, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Un Mythe européen: la quête du Graal” by Florence Delay, member of the Académie Française; actress; author of Riche et légère (Prix Fémina). In French.

Press Contact