I came across this list in The Local and thought others might be interested. This list followed an article about Emily in Paris and how unrealistic it is, saying if you want a good film that’s truthful this is their list of good ones.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20200630/the-12-popular-french-films-that-teach-you-about-france
An interesting post but for those of us who are blocked from viewing the Local, could you just list the titles?
I'm very partial to a Truffaut film "Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me". No U S distribution in DVD format.
I thank you for the list, a couple of whose films I have seen. I would like to add a few that I have watched more than once because they touch something inside me. They take me back to France in mind and spirit........
"Jean de Florette"
"Manon de la Source"
"La Gloire de Mon Pere"
"La Chateau de Ma Mere"
"Fanny"
"Les Choristes"
"The Girl from Paris"
The first five recall Provence to me. Marcel Pagnol wrote so feelingly about Provence. Both his books and the films made from them almost bring the scent of lavender and the sound of cicadas to me. The last two are just darn good films, with a true feeling for their location and characters. And although a musical fantasy, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" is worth an evening with a glass of wine in a comfy chair.
If you get a chance to see them, Enjoy!
Thank you Barbra, and Blue.
Judy, your list sounds really good, thank you.
I don’t pay for The Local and can still read articles they allow non-paying readers access to. Wondering if others besides Tocard had a problem opening my link.
I was able to click through and read — although it seems to me that I have run into paywall issues at The Local before. Maybe because I am on different device, hmmmmm . . .
Good to know you could open the link Kim. I can only read articles non-paying readers are allowed to. I’ve never hit a paywall. Articles that say some variation of “members only” i don’t try to open. I haven’t read The Local since Covid (until this article), maybe things have changed, idk.
Thanks Barbra, there are quite a few on this list that i’d like to see and will be looking for.
I just remembered that one of my all time favorite French films was made in the late 40's or early 50's. Very simple, black and white, typically French in that it isn't "over-dialogued." It would be a bit corny today, with all the fancy production values, sets and action we have grown used to. But I would be interested to hear what others think of it. It is called "Jeux Interdits," or "Forbidden Games". I saw it at movie night at my college Little Theater sometime around 1970. At the end, when the lights came on, I began sobbing aloud, I was so touched. And I wasn't alone! I won't tell you all any more about it, but if you can find a way to watch it, do so, and let me know here what you think. (Back in the days of Blockbuster, I rented it to show my 20 something kids, and they were touched as well, in spite of the lack of modern sophistication in the film. They still remember it, and in a good way!)
Most of the films in the two lists are available for rent on Amazon streaming -- have seen a few but looking forward to seeing more of them. Thanks.
Barbra, Glad to hear you like "Jeux Interdits" also. The final scene remains hauntingly with me 50 years after I first saw it!
No ‘Mr. Hulot’s Holiday’? Shocking omission!
Amélie.
How about "Midnight in Paris"!
Ridicule, set in 18th c. with one of the Looeys.
I don't know if this teaches you anything about France, but "Les Parapluis de Cherbourg" (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) is a wonderful, romantic operetta set in Cherbourg France from the early 60s.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058450/
