Category: French
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LE MEPRIS aka CONTEMPT
“Contempt” (Le Mépris) is a complex and visually stunning film directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1963. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of filmmaking. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy, the film delves into the disintegration of a marriage amid the pressures of the film industry. The story begins with Paul…
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LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG aka THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is a 1964 visually stunning musical drama directed by Jacques Demy. The film, notable for its entirely sung dialogue and vibrant color palette, tells a poignant love story set in the coastal town of Cherbourg, France. The story begins in 1957, focusing on 17-year-old Geneviève Emery (Catherine Deneuve), who works in…
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PEAU D’ANE aka DONKEYSKIN
“Donkeyskin” (“Peau d’Âne”) is a 1970 French musical fantasy film directed by Jacques Demy. The film is based on the classic fairy tale “Donkeyskin” by Charles Perrault and features a blend of enchanting visuals, whimsical music, and a touch of surrealism. It stars Catherine Deneuve, Jean Marais, and Jacques Perrin. In a far-off kingdom, a…
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SHORT FILM: AN OCCURENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a short film directed by Robert Enrico. It is based on the short story by Ambrose Bierce. Originally released in France in 1962 as “La Rivière du hibou,” it was later broadcast in the United States in 1964 as an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” The film stars…
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LES DEUX ANGLAISES ET LE CONTINENT aka TWO ENGLISH GIRLS
“Two English Girls” (“Les Deux Anglaises et le Continent”) is a 1971 French romantic drama film directed by François Truffaut, based on the novel by Henri-Pierre Roché. The film stars Jean-Pierre Léaud, Kika Markham, and Stacey Tendeter. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows the intricate and poignant romantic entanglements between a French…
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THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN (77)
“The Man Who Loved Women” (“L’Homme qui aimait les femmes”) is a 1977 French film directed by François Truffaut. The film stars Charles Denner, Brigitte Fossey, Nelly Borgeaud, Geneviève Fontanel, and Leslie Caron. It offers a comedic yet poignant exploration of a man’s obsessive love for women and his quest for understanding and fulfillment. The…
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THREE COLORS: RED
“Three Colors: Red” (“Trois Couleurs: Rouge”) is a 1994 French-Swiss film directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski. It is the final installment in the “Three Colors” trilogy, following “Blue” and “White.” The film stars Irène Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, and Frédérique Feder. The film centers on Valentine Dussaut (Irène Jacob), a kind-hearted and introspective student and part-time model…
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THREE COLORS: WHITE
“Three Colors: White” (“Trois Couleurs: Blanc”) is a 1994 French-Polish film directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski. It is the second installment in the “Three Colors” trilogy. The film stars Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, and Janusz Gajos. The film opens in Paris, where Polish immigrant Karol Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) is enduring a disastrous divorce from his wife,…
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THREE COLORS: BLUE
“Three Colors: Blue” (“Trois Couleurs: Bleu”) is a 1993 French film directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski. It is the first installment in the “Three Colors” trilogy, which also includes “White” and “Red.” The trilogy is loosely themed on the three political ideals of the French Republic: liberty, equality, and fraternity. “Blue” represents liberty. The film stars…
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AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
“And God Created Woman” (1956) is a groundbreaking French drama film directed by Roger Vadim. It stars Brigitte Bardot, Curd Jürgens, and Jean-Louis Trintignant. The film is notable for its bold portrayal of sexuality and its role in catapulting Bardot to international stardom. The story takes place in the picturesque coastal town of Saint-Tropez and…
The Other Cinema 