Cinéma Français, j'taime...

Amelie and I share the same cinematic expression

French film has always had a certain "je ne sais quoi".

An unashamed cliche but i don't even care - it's true! The people, the places, the humour, the emotion - everything about it invites me in.

My love affair with french film began in my higher french classroom (not that i'm bragging) the day Madame Granger introduced us to Jean Pierre-Jeunet's masterpiece Amelie. Something about Audrey Tautou's wide-eyed optimistic, passionate and quirky view on existence instantly grabbed me and has never let go.



I also owe Madame Granger a wealth of gratitude for introducing me to another outstanding French film: Au Revoir Les Enfants.

Friendship: the only ship that never sinks

Writer/director Louis Malle's account of childhood friendship in a Roman Catholic boarding school in Nazi occupied France is moving and unforgettable.

The understated and believable friendship conveyed by the young actors on screen is convincing and emotive, no more so than when you realise the events that unravelling are not fictional; this is a haunting true story.

Well worthy of the Golden Lion it picked up at the 1987 Venice Film Festival, along with the 2 Academy Awards nominations, I can't recommend this highly enough.

Je ne regrette rien about watching this classic.

Marion Cotillard blew everyone away with her depiction of Édith Piaf in 2007 biopic La Vie En Rose. Her portrayal of the talented and tragic "little sparrow" not only established Cotillard as 'one to watch' but also brought arguably the biggest French singer of all time to the world's stage.

The climax of the film is undoubtedly the Piaf's pained but powerful rendition of ,"Non, je ne regrette rien." Heart-wrenching, engaging and exquisitely performed - you will not regret watching this.

Chopsticks is hard to master

The Beat That My Heart Skipped follows Thomas Seyr as he struggles against his pre-destined future in corrupt business to fulfill his dream of becoming a concert pianist and better human being.

On paper, this concept sounds alright, but Romain Duris' performance excelerates this film into the realms of excellence. Offfft quite the sweeping statement eh? But all true. He masters the art of simultaneously conveying turmoil, aggression, sensitivity and humour like few other actors I can think of.

Achieving all of this whilst convincingly playing the piano - nuff said.



Other Outstanding French Films (English titles):

1. Leon (1994 - Luc Besson)
2. A Prophet (2009 - Jacques Audiard )
3. I've Loved You So Long (2008 - Philippe Claudel)
4. In Paris (2006 - Christoph Honore)
5. Paris (2008 - Cedric Klapisch)