Even though French cinema is not often widely recognized by the public, it does occupy a significant place in the history of cinema in general. Indeed, it has contributed to the development of the global film industry. In addition to its own development, French cinema has allowed many artists from Europe and around the world to express themselves in their own way and impress the audience with their stories, visions, and their creativity. So here is our selection of French movies that you will enjoy watching and that will definitely change your perspective and help you improve your listening skills:
- Hiroshima mon amour : directed by Alain Resnais (1959)
While in Hiroshima where she has to participate in a film about peace, a young French actress will share a brief and passionate love with a Japanese man. Throughout this relationship, memories of another love beset her: at Nevers, during the war, she once loved a young German.
- Léon : directed by Besson (1994)
If you are passionate about action movies, this film is for you; a hired killer named Leon takes under his wing Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl, the only survivor of the massacre of her family. Soon, Leon will make Mathilda a ‘cleaner’, like him. The girl will then be able to avenge her little brother.
- Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain : directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001) –suisse
This romantic comedy is about Amélie, a young waitress in a bar in Montmartre, who spends her time observing people and letting her imagination wander. She sets a goal: to do good for those around her.
- Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre : directed by Alain Chabat (2002)
Angered by Caesar’s sarcasm, the proud and sublime Queen Cleopatra challenges him: if she manages to have the most sumptuous of the desert palaces built in three months, he will have to concede publicly that the Egyptian people are the greatest of all people. An impossible deadline without a miracle!
- Nos jours Heureux : directed by Nakaché et Toledano (2006)
You will laugh with Vincent Rousseau who runs for the first time at a summer camp and finds himself immersed for three weeks in the world camp with different small stories and big worries coming through!
- Intouchable : directed by Toledano et Nakaché (2011)
This film, drama/comedy, tells the adventures of Philippe, a rich aristocrat who became tetraplegic after a paragliding accident. He will then hire Driss, a young man of Senegalese origin who had just come out of prison, as his assistant at home. You will be amazed by the bond these two different men will have.
A word of advice: do not forget to enjoy the music composed by the famous Ludovico Einaudi.
- Demain tout commence : directed by Hugo Gélin (2016)
Samuel, a middle aged man, lives his life without any attachments or responsibilities, at the seaside under the sun of the south of France, near the people he loves and with whom he works without getting too tired. Everything changes when one of his old conquests decides to leave a few months old baby named Gloria: his daughter.
- Ma vie de courgette : directed by Claude Barras (2016)
At the age of nine, Courgette loses her mother and moves to live in an orphanage. He is welcomed by Simon, the leader of the band of children, who plays it hard with the newcomer. Over the days, Courgette comes out of his melancholy and ends up sympathizing with Simon who explains to him the reason behind the presence of each one in the establishment. Each their own story to be told..