Yahoo Movies French films for beginners: Six movies you need to watch right now
Given France is the birthplace of cinema, it's fair to say the French know a thing or two about making movies.
In 1888, French inventor Louis Le Prince produced Roundhay Garden Scene, which is believed to be the oldest surviving film in the world. Then, in 1895, a theatre packed with intrepid viewers bore witness to all 50 seconds of Auguste's L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat, or, The Arrival of a Train.
As legend has it, audience members leapt up from their seats and screamed in fear as they watched a steam engine hurtling towards them – a novel on-screen experience that felt and looked so real it sparked a worldwide fascination with motion pictures.
But for those who have never watched a French film before, it need not be a daunting prospect – and now is as good a time as any to start exploring.
So, whether you're a novice or a fully-fledge Francophile, here are six French films that should be on your watch list.
1. Goodbye First Love (2011)
Although there are many differences that set humankind apart – be it language, religion or politics – the main theme of the movie is something universally understood. Loosely based on the life of its director Mia Hansen-Løve, Un Amour de Jeunesse is a provocative coming-of-age story that perfectly encapsulates the fragility and intensity associated with being in love for the very first time.
Centred on the relationship of 15-year-old Camille (Lola Créton) and her 19-year-old boyfriend Sullivan (Sebastian Urzendowsky), Goodbye First Love portrays the volatile passion of youth. Camille is infatuated with Sullivan, but he – who is attending college at the start of the film – has plans to quit his course and travel around South America with his friends. It is clear that while Sullivan has feelings for Camille, he's not as invested in their relationship as she is – or, at least, not in the same way. Camille, too, has plans to attend college and pursue a career in architecture.
With their impending departure looming over them, the pair decide to spend one last summer together, escaping to the sun-drenched landscapes of the Loire Valley in central France. At Camille’s parents’ summer home they spend long, sultry summer days exploring the region and swimming in the river, while in the evenings they make love and think about the inevitable.
After they go their separate ways, the flame of their love still there, quietly burning on and waiting to strike if and when their paths cross again. The film’s soundtrack, which heavily features The Water by Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling, is also a thing of beauty – the lyrics speak volumes to this torturous, exquisite, enduring love they share.
2. The Chorus (2004)
Think Gareth Malone’s The Choir meets Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Robin Williams in Dead Poet’s Society – then you’ve pretty much got the essence of what The Chorus is about.
Told through the perspective of Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), the film follows the lives of a group of aimless students at an austere school for boys, whose lives are irreversibly changed when their principal employs new music teacher Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot).
Mr Mathieu teaches the boys discipline and friendship, but in turn is saved by this mishmash of students. The Chorus is a sweet, feel-good film that the entire family can enjoy.
3. Priceless (2006)
Starring Audrey Tatou and Gad Elmaleh, Priceless is like a modern-day Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Gold-digger Irène (Tatou) mistakes bartender Jean (Elmaleh) – who works at the hotel she’s staying at with her current sugar daddy – for a millionaire.
After necking more than a few drinks, the pair spend the night together. Jean falls head over heels for the gorgeous brunette decked in designer clothes, while Irène gets excited by the prospect that she might have herself a handsome, young benefactor on her hands.
However, Irène’s dreams are very quickly shattered as she finds out Jean’s true identity – as are Jean’s, as he realises Irène has been putting on an act. In return, Jean decides to make Irène jealous by cosying up to a wealthy older woman, who showers him with gifts and affection.
This is a film that's smart, sassy and sexy. Definitely worth a watch if you're after some light-hearted entertainment.
4. Water Lilies (2007)
First released at Cannes in 2007, Water Lilies has received wide-spread critical acclaim thanks to its poignant portrayal of sexual awakening and desire.
Fifteen-year-old Marie (Pauline Acquart) first meets Floriane (Adèle Haenel), the captain of a synchronised swim team, when she attends practice with her friend Anne. Marie watches in awe as Floriane creates beautiful shapes and patterns in the water, before deciding she must join the team in order to get closer to Floriane. Meanwhile, Anne develops a crush on a boy named François.
Over the course of the movie, viewers become fixated with their relationship, as Marie tentatively makes subtle moves on Floriane – the latter appearing to be far more experienced with romance, but oblivious to how Marie feels. Despite first impressions, it turns out Floriane is a virgin, too, and is also negotiating her feelings for Marie.
5. The Page Turner (2006)
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and this is definitely the case in The Page Turner.
Dennis Dercourt’s psychological thriller centres round Melanie Prouvost (Déborah François), a talented musician whose hopes of becoming a world-class pianist are dashed when her conservatory entrance exam goes horribly wrong. Melanie puts her disastrous performance down to Ariane Fouchécourt (Catherine Frot), as the performance is interrupted by a fan trying to get the famous musician’s autograph.
Years later, Melanie gets herself a job at a solicitors firm, where Ariane’s husband works. Soon after, Melanie manages to integrate herself into their lives, as she is asked to nanny the couple’s son. Later, Melanie becomes Ariane's page turner, too.
How will she inflict her payback? The pair become closer and closer, and guessing how the film will go becomes impossible. It is a thrilling, gripping watch.
6. Amelie (2001)
We couldn’t miss this classic. While the Audrey Tatou film is arguably one of the best-known French titles, it doesn’t take away from just how brilliant it is.
The heavily stylised Jean-Pieree Jeunet-directed movie is a colourful, fun, whimsical tale of a waitress who explores her imagination in pursuit of finding love and happiness – in return spreading joy to those she meets along the way, at least mostly. A worldwide hit on its release in 2001, its charms saw it pick up two BAFTA wins and give Oscar nominations. Almost impossible not to like, it's worth re-watching for the darkness that's hidden there, too.
