HISTORY OF FRENCH CINEMA

In Paris, in 1895, Louis Lumière screens his first film La sortie des Usines: the birth of cinema. The first films are silent, in black and white, short and filmed hurriedly. In 1910, cinema is considered as a new form of art. The standard rises, films on historical subjects and tragic theatre are being made, for example, L’Assasinat du Duc de Guise by Le Bargy and Calmette in 1908.

The French hegemony is complete as 70% of the films exported in the world come from the production companies Pathé, Gaumont and Éclair. The spoken cinema comes to France in 1929. A revolution, in 1930 the silent movies become exceptions. The first stars of spoken movies are J.Gabin, L.Jouvet, Raimu, M.Morgan and M.Simon. We find them again on screen, Raimu in 1931 in Pagnol’s Marius; J. Gabin, M.Morgan and M.Simon in Le Quai des brumes (1938), by Marcel Carné (director) and Jacques Prévert ( poet and scriptwriter); and M.Simon and L.Jouvet in Drôle de drame (1936) by the same duo, Carné/Prévert. We will also remember the thirties, Zéro de conduite by Vigo in 1933 and La Règle du jeu (1939) by Renoir.

During the Second World War, the cinema halls are full although French cinema is supervised and refined. The profession is torn between exile, like Renoir and Gabin, and the submission to the Vichy Government. After the war, the French public turns to Hollywood, however, Les Enfants du Paradis by Carné/Prévert (1945), starring Arletty and Jour de fête (1947) by J.Tati see immense success.

Towards the end of the 50’s and beginning 60’s, The New Wave (la Nouvelle Vague) takes a break. This movement of young French directors enforces a new style in film-making: small budget, shooting on location and a team of more natural actors. The directors who personify The New Wave are Godard (A bout de souffle with Belmondo, 1960), Truffaut (Les 400 coups, 1959 and Tirez sur le pianiste, 1960), Chabrol (Le Beau Serge, 1959) and Resnais (Hiroshima, mon amour, 1959). Amongst the actors, Alain Delon becomes very popular in Clément’s Plein Soleil, 1960 and B.Bardot is recognised in R.Vadim’s Et Dieu créa la femme, 1956

In the 70’s, we see again, Truffaut (L’Enfant Sauvage, 1970), Chabrol (La Femme Infidèle, 1969) and Godard (Tout va bien, 1972, starring Yves Montant and Jane Fonda). B.Belier attempts to be close to reality in Les Valseuses, 1974 with Depardieu. The most popular comedy actor of this period is Louis de Funès, who creates a rage, with his incessant gestures in the series Gendarmes by Girault (1964-82).

Between 1980 and 1985, the idea of a film-maker prevailes on those of the schools or style. During this period, Beineix has two hits: Diva (1980) and 37°2 le matin (1986) with B.Dalle whose voluptuous lips bring her fame. L.Besson introduces a hollywood touch to the French cinema with Subway in 1984, starring C.Lambert and I.Adjani and with Le Grand Bleu in 1987, which is a smashing hit.

Nowadays, the number of cinema halls is reducing but films are being watched in television and in videocassettes. The French production is among the most dynamic productions of Europe with about a hundred films being produced every year. There are 4000 cinema halls in France and Paris is known as the capital of the seventh art. Contemporary French cinema is rich and varied. It can be strong and violent (La Haine de M.Kassowitz, 1995) or gentle and subtle (Le bonheur est dans le pré by C.Gassot, 1997, with M.Serrault, Eddy Mitchel and S.Azéma). Or show the difficult world of the 19th Century miners (C.Berri’s Germinal, 1993), or even create a different world, one that is supernatural and frenzy (Delicatesen by Jeunet de Carrot, 1991).

THE FESTIVAL OF CANNES

Every year, in May, during two weeks, the International Film Festival takes place in Cannes, a city in the south of France, chosen for its sunshine and enchanting scenery. This event which was conceived as a rivalry to the Venice Film Festival, started on 1st September 1939 Films from all over the world are presented and the juries give awards to actors and directors… the most coveted of the awards is the Golden Palm Award (Palm d’or) which is given to the best film of the festival. This event, considered the most prestigious in the world, not only proposes film screenings, but also numerous cultural and artistic activities (round-tables, seminars, retrospectives…). It is also an occasion, dreamt of, for the fans to see their favorite stars and many other affluent personalities during this event

The titles underlined are available at the French Information Resource Centre.