ZIYA US SALAM This winter, warm up to a volley of French films. We want to project a different impression of French cinema to Indians. On show (Clockwise from left) Stills from “The First Day of the Rest of your Life”, “Paris” and “The Regrets”. Not long ago, Select CityWalk multiplex in South Delhi wore a distinctly busy look, quite unusual for the opening of an animation film. In a country that regards animation to be a substitute for a children’s film, it was a different experience to watch a black and white film with little to cheer, lots to ponder. The film was Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s “Persepolis”, alternately evocative and provocative. A rare French film to find a commercial release in India, “Persepolis” found favour with discerning cinemagoers in the country. On another scale came “Asterix”. Riding on hype and hope in equal measure, this animation film too made a little dent at the box office. “We have new, emerging talent in animation. We are the third largest...