FRENCH films will be screened at The Witham in Barnard Castle this summer to complement the Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibition which opens tomorrow at the Bowes Museum.

The programme starts next Friday with the biopic Yves Saint Laurent by Jalil Lespert, exploring the designer's career inspirations and life. The film will be repeated every Friday until August 28.

Four of Saint Laurent’s favourite films chosen by his partner, Pierre Berge, will be shown on consecutive Thursdays in August, beginning with Belle de jour on the 6th; L’Amour fou on the 13th; Le Guépard on the 20th and Les dames du bois de Boulogne on the 27th. The films are in French, with English subtitles.

Belle de jour (18 guidance) features Catherine Deneuve, who was dressed by Yves Saint Laurent for her role as the sultry Severine.

L’Amour fou (15 guidance) documents Berge’s personal coming to terms with the death of his lifelong partner through the beautiful objects they collected during their life together.

Le Guépard (U guidance) traces with slow and deliberate rhythm a dying aristocracy struggling to maintain itself against a harsh Sicilian landscape. Les Dames du bois de Boulogne (PG guidance) is a tragic tale of anguish, jealousy and revenge.

Tickets cost £5 from The Witham and online at thewitham.org.uk/index.php/whats-on/film. Screenings start at 7.30pm. The Dispensary Cafe Bar opens an hour beforehand.

Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal runs until Sunday, October 25.