Exploring issues around identity, ethnicity and multiculturalism in the post-colonial francophone world, the second annual French and Francophone Film Festival is a chance for students to show up at the HUB Auditorium and see absorbing films for free.

While the event has been running since April, the festival will end with two cinematic jewels, Les temps qui changent or Changing Times and Ne Touchez pas la hache or The Duchess of Langeais on May 14 and 29.

The May 14 screening of Les temps qui changent/Changing Times (2004), with legendary actors Gérard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve is an hour-and-a-half, thought-provoking journey about the nature of change.

Antoine (Depardieu) arrives in Tangiers to rekindle the flame with Cecile (Deneuve), whom he has fancied passionately but silently since their break-up 30 years ago. However, Antoine arrives in Tangiers to a married Cecile and other complicated relationships that reflect the changing times. Sitting at the helm for the 18th time, André Téchiné directs a motion picture that garnered five independent-film award nominations.

Last but not least, Ne Touchez pas la hache/The Duchess of Langeais (2007) is a heart-wrenching tale about a passionate love affair between care-free army general Armand de Montriveau (Guillaume Depardieu) and flirty Parisian noble Antoinette de Langeais (Jeanne Balibar) in the early 19th century.

Originally a novel by French literary giant Honoré de Balzac, Director Jacques Rivette vividly adapts this cat-and-mouse love affair to the big screen.

The Duchess of Langeais will make its United States debut at the UW next Friday, and Depardieu gives an impeccable posthumous performance; the promising French actor died of pneumonia in 2008.

“The tension and attraction between characters and their crossing of desert and sea in their quests echoes the complexity of the historical encounter between France and her former colonies,” said Friedli-Clapié.

The festival draws a diverse crowd. Among them are language students, travelers, history professors and foreign film buffs.

James Tweedie, assistant professor of comparative literature, will introduce The Duchess of Langeais, while Annie Fee, a visiting graduate student from the University of Geneva, will present Changing Times. Both showings will be at 7 p.m. in the HUB.

Reach columnist Julian Estrada at arts@dailyuw.com.