5 French Films You Should Watch This Autumn/ Winter 2020
Hollywood is the biggest leader in the film-making industry worldwide. Most film-goers will probably see multiple differences in USA style films and European films. This can include the way the storyline is told, how body language and dialogue is used and to what size budget is available for directors. French films seem to have a particular style. They often – not always though, but often [depending on genre and time setting, of course] – focus on a realistic and more sober portrayal of life. This doesn’t mean the films can’t be colourful. This is a contrast to what American films often do. American/Hollywood films tend to spread American culture. American films also tend to focus more on idealism rather than realism (what European and specifically French films tend to do).
These are 5 French films you should definitely watch this autumn and winter season:
1. Les Femmes Du 6ème Étage (Service Enterance) [click here to watch the trailer] Philippe Le Guay, 2011.
This part of the film tries to not only show how unknowing some people can be of others, but also the love and excitement one can experience when are learning about a new culture, people and a way of life.
This French film directed by Philippe Le Guay tells the story of two different kinds of worlds where people live in. The story is set in 1962. One storyline focusses on the one of a traditional French family who are living in a big apartment in the chique 16th arrondissement, Paris, with very comfortable lives. The other storyline is the one of the underpaid and overworked domestic servants that are living in the same building, but in small and cramped living conditions on the 6th floor. Few French people want the job of a full time cleaner and caretaker of the house, so those jobs are taken by Spanish women, who are eager to escape the Spanish State during the ‘60s. The apartment owner slowly grows closer to the Spanish maid and eventually learns the value of life and freedom.
This film is available on Google Play.
2. Dalida [click here to watch the trailer] Lisa Azuelos, 2017
This film is perfect for you if you like music, a period pieces and if you are curious to out what kind of person/icon Dalida was to French people.
This biopic tells the glamorous, yet sad life of one of the biggest French icons. Dalida was born in Cairo in 1933 into an Italian-Egyptian family. In 1954, she leaves for Paris to start a singing career. Her first performance was in the Olympia Theatre and was a phenomenal success. She meets Lucien Morrisse, an owner of the radio station Europe No. 1. He helps her to rise to stardom. Dalida’s songs became world famous, with numbers such as Bambino, Gigi l’Amoroso and Je Suis Malade.
Famous biopic films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, the film about Dalida’s life didn’t seem to be experiencing the same amount of success. Just as in the lives on the artists in the previous two films mentioned, the life of Dalida was just as impressive and eventful but also depressing and the film showed the downside of immediate stardom.
This film is available on Google Play.
3. Les Retour Du Héros (The Return Of The Hero) [click here to watch the trailer] Laurent Tirard, 2018
This film is a comedy, where innocent lies end up turning into true deceit.
The story is set in 1809. Captain Neuville is engaged with Pauline, but shortly after their engagement, he is called to war. He leaves her behind, without ever writing her a simple letter. Pauline’s sister, Elizabeth, takes action and writes her letters in his name, with the hope to cheer her up. After three years, the captain – without any announcement – reappears at the chateau where the family lives. All the stories that Elizabeth wrote, all the lies, are in danger of being exposed. Everything starts to get out of hand, as soon as Elizabeth finds out why Captain Neuville is truly back.
This film is available on Google Play.
4. Il A Déjà Tes Yeux (He Even Has Your Eyes) [click here to watch the trailer] Lucien Jean-Baptiste, 2016
Even though this film is a comedy, the director touches upon specific subjects such as underrepresentation of mixed-race communities in France, adoption amongst different races and the view on racism.
Paul and Sali have a florist shop. They are very happy, but the only thing they truly want, is a baby. They’ve decided to adopt a baby. Sali’s Sengalese parents are over the moon and already have a name in mind for their future grandchild. Not long after finally opening the florist shop, Paul and Sali get a call from the adoption agency. They will be the new parents to Benjamin, a six-month-old baby…. Who is white! Sali and Paul don’t care about this but are scared of what their family will say. The adoption agency is standing fully behind this decision, but Mrs. Millet is not; the infant’s caseworker. She will try to find a way to stop the adoption, even though the situation of Paul and Sali seems to be perfect for the child.
This film is available on Netflix.
5. Bienvenue À Marly-Gomont (The African Doctor) [click here to watch the trailer] Julien Rambaldi, 2016
This film is described as a comedy-drama, with – what I personally would add – a dark undertone. The story is based on the actual doctor Seyolo Zantoko, who was born in Mbiongo (former Belgian-Congo) in 1940. This film touches upon many racist moments that were very accurate to the experiences of the life of Seyolo Zantoko.
France, 1975. Seyolo Zantoko is a graduate doctor from Kinshasa. He gets the opportunity to escape with his family from the dictator regime of Mobutu Sese Seko and move to France, to get a job as a doctor in a small French village.
When they arrive in the village Marly-Gomont, Seyolo and his family quickly realise that this is not a town that is used to foreigners. The residents seem to be afraid; because this is the first time that African people are coming to their village. Seyolo is determined to succeed and keeps his doctor’s practice open. He will do everything to win the villagers’ trust, even though if that means he and his family must make some sacrifices.
This film is available on Netflix.
