War movies and pop music: Theyre not the most common of bedfellows, but leave it to a French filmmaker to bring the two together in 2007s La France, screening today at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The story is straightforward enough: Its wartime, and a young wife receives a letter from her enlisted husband telling her not to write him because shell never see him again. Flummoxed, she straps down her breasts, dons mens attire and takes off to join the troops and find her man. And this is where things get interesting: The soldiers routinely burst into 60s-style pop songs, complete with instruments and sentimental lyrics of longing. It worked, at least for French audiences, who gave the prestigious Jean Vigo prize to the film and its enterprising director, Serge Bozon. Just dont go in expecting Mamma Mia! 7 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday. 1001 Bissonnet. For information, call 713-639-7300 or visit www.mfah.org. $6 to $7.
Aug. 15-17, 7 p.m., 2008
This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2008.