30 July 2024
French cinema is renowned worldwide for its diversity
and quality. It's worth remembering that it was the Lumière brothers (Auguste
and Louis) who organized the first cinematic screening in Paris in 1895. La
Sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon marked the birth of french cinema. Georges Méliès, on his part, became a pioneer of this
emerging industry by building the first film studio. Today, France is one of
the world's largest exporters of films. For students eager to learn French,
watching films remains a privileged way to enrich their understanding of French
society, develop vocabulary, and improve listening skills. Learn French and
discover French culture simultaneously with the Centre International d'Antibes
by (re)discovering five famous scenes from French cinema.
Released in 2008, Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques is
considered one of the best films about the famous Gaulish hero. Released in
over sixty countries worldwide, this film proves that French cinema can offer
moments of sharing and entertainment for both children and teenagers. To help
the charming Alafolix marry the beautiful Princess Irina, Astérix and Obélix
must face Caesar's son in various sports competitions. Determined to win,
Brutus (played by Benoît Poelvoorde) resorts to a doping potion concocted by a
mad scientist, Dr. Mabuse. Now endowed with impressive muscles, Brutus
embarrasses himself during the javelin throw, landing after a flying leap into
the stands where his father is seated.
Is it possible that one of the most famous scenes in
French cinema was the result of improvisation? This film by Gérard Oury, a
staple of French television, depicts the misadventures of a painter and a
conductor from the Paris Opera. These two men inadvertently become resistance
fighters by helping British pilots escape to the free zone. The scene where
Stanislas Lefort (Louis de Funès) climbs on the shoulders of Augustin Bouvet
(Bourvil), although not originally planned in the script, remains an iconic moment
in cinema. The line, "But hey, you don't think I'm going to carry you on
my back. You've done this to me three times—my shoes, my bike..." is among
the famous quotes in French cinema.
Based on a true story, this well-known film, which
attracted nearly twenty million viewers in France, tells the story of an
unlikely friendship between two men. A wealthy quadriplegic, Philippe, decides
to hire Driss, a guy from the suburbs straight out of prison, as his live-in
caregiver. The film is full of humorous scenes, which your teacher will
undoubtedly use in lessons for teenagers or adults. For advanced levels, the
dialogues are full of idiomatic expressions and informal language. The scene
where the two friends experiment with different types of beards and mustaches
is particularly representative of their deep bond.
Mentioning iconic moments in French cinema wouldn't be
complete without highlighting films that portray the lives of artistic
personalities. Among the biopics that achieved international acclaim is La Vie
en Rose. Marion Cotillard brilliantly embodies Edith Piaf, a performance that
earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The interpretations and
mannerisms of the singer are faithfully reproduced. One of the most
heartbreaking moments is when Piaf learns that the plane carrying the love of
her life, boxer Marcel Cerdan, has crashed. The singer desperately searches for
her beloved before collapsing in despair as the harsh reality sinks in.
This French film offers a chance to discover the
Hauts-de-France region and the legendary kindness of the Ch'tis. Philippe
Abrams, the director of a postal agency in Salon-de-Provence, wants to move to
please his wife, Julie. To increase his chances of receiving a positive
response, he decides to request a transfer to the French Riviera, pretending to
be disabled. When a labor inspector arrives to verify that it isn't a fraud,
Philippe accidentally punctures the wheelchair tire. At the end of the interview,
he stands up to bid farewell, revealing the deception. This scene highlights
the talent of two well-known French actors: Kad Merad (Philippe) and Jérôme
Commandeur (Mr. Lebic).
Language stay at the Centre International d'Antibes
