By no means do I consider myself a scholar of French cinema. However, in my own personal journey watching film, I have found several French films that I found fascinating. To have a better understanding of the world, cinema is any easy way to travel, and begin to understand a different perspective. In this article, I will take you through a very small journey into France, and the wonderful French films that are essential viewings for not only any true cinephiles, but casual viewers of movies as well.
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
One of the earliest examples of narrative storytelling comes in the form of Georges Melies' A Trip to the Moon. Clocking in at about 15 minutes, A Trip to the Moon is a very easy watch. What is so special about this film. many call this one of the very first science fiction films ever created. What makes this film so astounding for its time are the special effects. Melies was a former stage magician, and he uses some of the very first special effects in creating his seminal masterpiece. Also, another fascinating element is that this film was one of the first to have color photography. Since the ability to shoot a film in color was not invented, artists went through the film reel and painting each individual frame to have the colors that Georges Melies originally had shot. Below is an embedded video of a recently remastered version of A Trip to the Moon.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
If A Trip to the Moon is one of the most enjoyable silent films you could watch, The Passion of Joan of Arc is one the most painful films of all time. Chronicling the trial and execution of St. Joan of Arc, this film leaves the viewer feeling anguished and distressed upon completion. However, this film features, in my opinion, the greatest female acting performance of all time by young Maria Falconetti. By no means is this a pleasant viewing, but it is essential when understanding French film history. Embedded below is the full version of The Passion of Joan of Arc.
The Rules of the Game (1939)
Congratulations! You have made it out of the silent era of French cinema! Now, we delve into one of the most important French directors of all time, taking place in the French period of poetic realism. Poetic realism has characters that many times get a chance at love or happiness, yet somehow fall short. The Rules of The Game is a perfect example of this. The film has moments of hilarity and moments of pure discouragement. It is an essential viewing to understand World War II France.
The 400 Blows (1959)
The French New Wave rejected many of the cinematic rules from before. Founded by a group of amateur filmmakers and critics, these directors began to shoot on very small budgets, and just tell stories that were important to them. Francois Truffaut is one of the primary directors of this movement, and The 400 Blows is his seminal masterpiece. A sort of autobiographical look at Truffaut's own troubled childhood, it is a wonderfully enjoyable coming of age film, that can take us back to our own adolescence so easily. I had just screened this film recently, and it seemed as fresh and new as it did in 1959.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
The first color film on this list, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is perhaps one of the most interesting musicals you will ever see. There is very little to no spoken dialogue, as it operates under a certain operatic scheme. The film is especially wonderful when viewed in stark contrast to the musicals Hollywood was churning out at this time. Those films were more happy, joyous, and viscerally appealing. This film is melodramatic, thought provoking, and a real tear jerker. Director Jacques Demy, who died at a young age due to complications with AIDS, really proved that the musical was worth revising. It is also important to mention what in influence this film had on director Damien Chazelle while he was making La La Land.
The Three Colours Trilogy (1993-1994)
Having the Three Colours Trilogy on this list is slightly cheating. First of all, the films are made by Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski. However, I included them because the films are not only in French but focus on aspects of French life in the 1990s. Also, including three films instead of one here is tough. However, I like to think of these three individual films as one, larger, connected masterpiece. The Three Colours Trilogy tackles the three ideals of France, which are liberty, equality, and fraternity, with the films of Blue, White, and Red, dealing with each of these themes respectively. KIeslowki often interprets these ideals in a more ironic sense than the originally intended. As labeled by Kieslowski himself, the films are an anti-tragedy, an anti-comedy, and an anti-romance. The films are moving, poignant, humorous, and some of the most stunning and jarring pieces of cinema you will ever see not only in French but in the world.
Amelie (2001)
Amelie is one of the most purely unique movies you will ever see. A tale of a girl who seeks to make differences in her world, Amelie seeks to make her life more interesting. The film features a flawlessly executed performance by Audrey Tautou. This movie is absurd, romantic, charming, and brimming with optimism. I guarantee a smile on your face by the end of the film.
Love Me If You Dare (2003)
Another absurdist comedy, Love Me If You Dare follows two prankster children as they grow up. they are always trying to one-up each other with their pranks and dares, which makes for an interesting premise. This film features one of the premiere French actresses, Marion Cotillard, who made a splash in American movies such as Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. This film is wonderfully charming and hilarious. It takes its place as one of the best romantic comedies of the 21st century.
Incendies (2010)
This is another film choice that is technically cheating. Incendies is a French-Canadian film that is about the Middle East. The film does use French as the primary language, however, so I feel it is a good choice for French cinema. This film involves a son and daughter pair, who look to carry out their eccentric mother's last wishes after she passes. The film unveils the mystery of her will with flashbacks to their mother's early life in the Middle East. This is an early film from Denis Villeneuve, who is most know for his recent movies Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival. Villeneuve also has recently finished the long anticipated sequel Blade Runner 2049. Villeneuve is one of the best directors currently working in my opinion, and this is a jarring introduction to his diverse and intelligent body of work.
The Intouchables (2011)
The last film on my last was one of the first movies that ever turned me on to French cinema. The Intouchables follows a millionaire paraplegic, who's life is turned upside down when he hires a street thug as an assistant. This is one of the most charming films you will ever see in any language. Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy's chemistry is brilliant. This film was so popular in France, that there is an upcoming American remake, to my dismay. My advice: skip the remake, and watch the original film. The remake is bound to lose the wit and warmth of the original film.
Thanks for following me on my brief journey to France. As you explore these films, feel yourself giving in to the culture and ideology of France as the movies themselves embrace you.
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