Film and TV

Film and TV

Understanding French Cinema and Television

Major Landmarks in French Cinema

  • Note the importance of France in the history of film, being the birth place of cinema with the Lumière Brothers’ first projected screening in 1895.

  • Remember key figures from the French New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague) in the 1960s such as François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, who challenged traditional filmmaking.

Popular Genres and Movies

  • French cinema encompasses a wide range of genres including drama, romance, comedy, action and thriller.

  • Make sure to recognise significant and internationally acclaimed films like “Amélie” (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain), “The Artist”, and “La Vie en Rose”.

Television Shows and Programmes

  • French television shows are varied and cover genres like drama, reality TV, news and talk shows.

  • Familiarise yourself with popular shows including “Plus belle la vie”, a soap opera, and “Le Journal”, the main news broadcast on France 2.

The Role of Film and TV in Society

  • Understand how movies and TV reflect and shape French attitudes about culture, society, and politics.

  • Films and TV series often deal with issues of identity, immigration, French history, and social problems.

Vocabulary and Phrases

  • Expand your vocabulary related to film and TV such as ‘le film’ (film), ‘le cinéma’ (cinema), ‘le réalisateur’ (director), ‘l’acteur/l’actrice’ (actor/actress), ‘la série’ (TV series), etc.

  • Practice using common phrases like “J’aime regarder des films” (I like watching films), “Mon genre de film préféré est…” (My favourite genre of film is…), etc.

Cultural Influences

  • Appreciate how French cinema and TV programs are a platform for cultural expression and often include discussions about social and political issues.

  • Understand the impact of government regulations ensuring a quota of French-produced content, reflecting the French government’s efforts to protect French culture.

  • Note the presence of international film festivals in France, most notably the Cannes Film Festival, showing the country’s passion and appreciation for cinema.

By understanding these aspects of French culture, you’ll be able to understand, discuss and write about ‘Film and TV’ in French.