A Little Something Extra is a French film that was released in France at the beginning of May. You can see the film before anyone else in Australia at a special fundraising screening this Tuesday. If you live in Melbourne, you probably already know Serge Thomann. He is Councillor for the French Overseas and President of French Assist Melbourne. He was also a St Kilda city councillor from 2008 to 2016 and is running as an independent candidate in the current council elections. He’s the one organizing the special screening of the film A Little Something Extra (French title: Un p’tit truc en plus). We talk to him about the film, fundraising and the special guest.
Serge, you’re organizing an Australian premiere screening of the French film A Little Something Extra. Why did you choose this film?
I’m running in the municipal elections for the St Kilda Ward for the City of Port Phillip. I was previously a St Kilda councillor between 2008 and 2016. I’m running as an independent candidate, unaffiliated with any political party, in the service of my community. With no electoral ulterior motives. 7 of us have come together under the banner of People Empowering Port Phillip. All independent but sharing common values.
I was one of the 11 million people who saw the film Un p’tit truc en plus/A Little Something Extra in France during my last visit in May, when the film had just been released. I had seen Artus [the director] interviewed on TV – I didn’t know him. He spoke with such passion about the film he directed, co-wrote and starred in that I almost felt compelled to see it. I really loved the film, especially of course the inclusion of the disabled kids, who are great and sympathetic. It’s a great comedy. Artus was able to highlight the goodness, humour and mischief of these people who have “a little something extra”. I learned a lot and thought it would be nice to have this film for my election campaign. A film with a good message for everyone. A film you should go and see, as so many French people have done! It’s a real moment of humanity!
What were the challenges involved in organizing the first screening of the film in Australia?
Fortunately, the film’s distributor is a friend of mine and she understood why I wanted to use the film as part of my campaign. I know a lot of people and I had no problem getting the premiere of the film in Australia. The film will be shown at the Brisbane Film Festival in November and at the European Film Festival in Melbourne and Sydney in February. I hope the film will be a great success here!
What will the funds do for PEPP?
The funds raised will pay for part of our election campaign costs – posters, leaflets, advertising, etc.
You also invited Colby Hickey, local resident and Down Syndrome Victoria ambassador, to speak before the film screening. How and why did you choose him?
Colby is a friend of mine and if the film had been shot in Australia, he could have auditioned for a role. There are several actors with Down Syndrome in the film. I thought asking him to speak before the film brought a local element – Colby lives in St Kilda. He was very happy that I asked him and he prepared his brief speech which he will read with his “machine”. It warms my heart to make him happy to be part of my event. It’s all part of his ambassadorial role, and I hope others will ask him to take part in screenings of the film when it comes out.
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We thank Serge Thomann for this interview and wish him well in his fund-raising efforts.
KEY INFO FOR THE SCREENING OF A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
WHAT: A fundraising screening of the film A Little Something Extra (Un P’tit truc en plus)
WHEN: Tuesday, October 1, 7pm – 10pm
WHERE: Classic Cinemas, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185
HOW: Buy your tickets via this link
HOW MUCH: Because this screening is a fundraiser, donations to help the campaign are
- silver $50, or
- gold $100 .
Each donation entitles you to a ticket to the film.
