That said, LeFF 2023 is back in Malaysia once more, much to the delight of local Francophiles hoping to indulge in the culture of faraway France.

This year will be the festival’s 21st edition and from May 25 to June 25, locals can enjoy all things ‘French’.

As was the case last year, LeFF will be moving around Malaysia, first setting up shop in Kuala Lumpur (25 May-June 11) before moving onto Penang (June 8-June 18) and finally Johor Bahru (June 14-18).

East Malaysians, rejoice! For the first time ever, LeFF will be in Kuching from June 22 to June 25, so mark your calendars pronto.

In addition to baking workshops, live art shows, dance performances and musical concerts, LeFF is continuing its collaboration with Golden Screen Cinemas.

You can certainly expect the best of French cinema to be hitting local theatres throughout this festival, with 15 films to be screened this year.

At the launch of LeFF on May 8, FMT previewed “En Corps”, which you too can watch come May 25.

Directed by long-serving filmmaker Cedric Klapisch, the film is a comedy-drama, or dramedy, which was nominated for several awards back in France.

The film follows a professional ballerina, Elise Gautier (Marion Barbeau) who suffers a double whammy during a public performance.

For one, she witnesses her romantic partner being an unfaithful scoundrel. And two, she suffers a severe ankle injury that could cripple her chances of returning to the stage.

Gautier is forced to take a break and consider leaving behind her dreams of being a dancer.

However, when her friend Sabrina (Souheila Yacoub) drags her along to an artist retreat in coastal Brittany, she realises there’s more to dance than just ballet.

And so, begins a journey of self-discovery and reconnection as she patches up things with her distant father Henri (Denis Podalydes) and finds someone new to love.

As a film centred around the world of dance, “En Corps”, which means “Rise” in English, will undoubtedly appeal to those familiar with the art.

Even if you’re not, you’re likely to walk out from the theatre with a greater understanding of why dancers enjoy what they do and just how liberating it can be.

The choreography helps achieve this, by focusing on the frantic but precise moves present in any form of dance.

There are several dance sequences throughout the film, all dreamlike and almost fantastical.

Even if you aren’t particularly appreciative of the arts, one can’t help but admire the skill and energy which goes into its practice.

The film dips its toe in the genre of ballet and contemporary dance, laying bare the beauty in both genres.

These similarities are exactly what allow Gautier to realise there are other options for her, even if ballet is closed off to her post-injury.

Speaking of Gautier, her character is one which anyone can relate to, given how ordinary she is and how relatable the challenges she faces are.

How many times have you had dreams dashed because of something out of your control? And no matter how much you want to get back on track, you just cannot.

That’s Gautier’s life in a nutshell. And while she mopes around for the early parts of the film, she does soon realise that life is not so much about stumbling as it is about picking one’s self up after a fall.

But of course, like in real life, you cannot heal from physical and emotional injuries alone; having good friends and family is always a plus.

The film does a good job at humanising its characters, with no one being an over-the-top caricature with a cardboard personality.

Take Yann (Francois Civil), her therapist, for example. It’s clear he has feelings for Gautier, but unfortunately, she later reveals she is into someone else.

And despite the initial hurt, he doesn’t blame her for this but accepts her decision, a healthy depiction of what it means to be a good man.

Overall, if you are fond of dance films and slice-of-life movies, “En Corps” is one to watch, as well as one to inspire folks who feel they are in a rut.

Don’t miss out on “En Corps” and other LeFF films this year.

For more information on Le French Festival 2023, including the full line-up of events, visit its website or Facebook profile.