An Introduction to French Cinema-Ten movies not to be missed
Apologies for the patronising tone for all the true film-lovers, but I wanted to post a list of ten must-see French movies produced in the last decade that highlight what a first-class movie industry there is just across the (26 mile) pond.
The UK industry somehow gets inundated with Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan gangster dross or Richard Curtis rom-coms, meanwhile the French produce cinema that is both brilliantly written and shot and reaches deep into the soul whilst re-counting gripping tales of love, death and betrayal.
Mesrine-2008-Jean-François Richet
A two-part bio-pic about a confident and daring gangster Jacques Mesrine, (played by Vincent Cassel) whose ego caused his eventual downfall.
Tell No One-2006-Guillaume Canet
Based upon the book by US author Harlan Coben it is a fast-paced thriller from start to finish with twists and turns and one of the best movies of the past decade.
The Beat That My Heart Skipped-2005-Jacques Audiard
The director is a true genius and his three films in this list will justify my claim. This film is about one’s man journey and the choices we all have to make for better or worse.
A Prophet-2009-Jacques Audiard
The best films tell us visually about interesting characters and a decent story. This young convict’s journey has it all in abundance.
The Class-2008-Laurent Cantet
Perhaps the French World Cup squad should have watched this movie before the tournament to ease the racial tension burden that is clearly as much of a problem in Parisian schools as it is here in London.
La Haine-1995-Mathieu Kassovitz
Another film full of racial tension that doesn’t preach or try to teach us a lesson. It is raw and full of vitality but tells it exactly like it is. In comparison UK movies of similar ilk just don’t hit the same spot.
Read My Lips-2001-Jacques Audiard
Another complex highly original cliché-free thriller, that just doesn’t try too hard. It ebbs and flows its way to a memorable and satisfying climax.
The Singer-2006-Xavier Giannoli
In a style similar to The Wrestler and Crazy Heart, we see a washed-up and middle-aged singer living of former glories but is missing love and a purpose in life. Like Bridges and Rourke, Gérard Depardieu is a perfect fit for the role. Note this film was released first.
Hidden-2005-Michael Haneke
Haneke’s eighth movie shows us strong ideas about guilt, racism, recent French history and cinema itself. Starring two bastions of the industry Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche, it twists and turns but reaches the conclusion that we are our own worst enemies and all of us are quick to blame everyone else when we have a problem.
Anything For Her-2008-Fred Cavayé
A Prison Break-style thriller that avoids the obvious and has a satisfying ending. Vincent Lindon is brilliant as the determined and loyal husband who fights to save the gorgeous Diane Kruger. (Inglorious Basterds)
In addition, you have to see these five recent Italian classics. Two classic feel-good movies and three very different gangster flicks.
Il Postino-1994-Michael Radford
Cinema Paradiso-1988-Giuseppe Tornatore
Romanzo Criminale-2005-Michele Placido
The Consequences of Love-2004-Paolo Sorrentino
Gomorrah-2008-Matteo Garrone
‘apologies about the patronizing tone’… we really must sit you down with some of the earlier editions of film so that you can comment without making concessions for your lack of knowledge of cinema… (insert appropriate emoticon)
I think it’s refreshing that you concentrate on the recent releases. Your selection of Audiard’s films in particular showcase the strength of contemporary French cinema… ‘Now having said that’(… another great deconstruction of a common phrase from LD) I would appreciate a grounding of your present recommendations to be based on earlier installments of this particular industry; the French New Wave, the recognition and development of film noir, the clutch of 80′s films that valued style over substance, Jean Renoir, anything with Alain Delon, Jean-Pierre Melville…
Now having said that, I believe you’re doing a better job than some ass who merely comments on the reviews you’re doing.
Keep up the good work Leon. I throughly enjoy coming onto your site and reading your efforts.
more on the subject…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/08/britain-grown-up-films-french