FOLA (Friends of Ludlow auditorium) will introduce a new first in its programming on Saturday, September 9 at 7 PM in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium - a French language comedy, "The King of Hearts". According to FOLA movie committee head, Scott Stearns, "It will be a film that will delight everyone because of its audaciousness, its humor, and its subtle message".

The film is in French with English sub-titles. According to Scott, "With the sub-titles and the fantastic storyline of this film, the language barrier is no problem".

King of Hearts (original French title: Le Roi de cœur) is a 1966 French comedy-drama film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Alan Bates.

The film is set in a small town in France near the end of World War I. As the Imperial German Army retreats they booby trap the whole town to explode. The locals flee and, left to their own devices, a gaggle of cheerful residents of the local insane asylum escape the asylum and take over the town — thoroughly confusing the lone Scottish soldier who has been dispatched to defuse the bomb.

Charles Plumpick (Bates) is a kilt-wearing French born Scottish soldier who is sent by his commanding officer to disarm a bomb placed in the town square by the retreating Germans.

As the fighting comes closer to the town, its inhabitants—including those who run the insane asylum—abandon it. The asylum gates are left open, and the inmates leave the asylum and take on the roles of the townspeople. Plumpick has no reason to think they are not who they appear to be—other than the colorful and playful way in which they're living their lives, so at odds with the fearful and war-ravaged times. They crown Plumpick King of Hearts with surreal pageantry as he frantically tries to find the bomb before it goes off.

The movie is open to everyone and is free; donations are appreciated. Popcorn will be supplied by Berkshire Bank with water provided by FOLA. For information, call (802) 228-7239 or visit the FOLA web site, www.fola.us.