French

  • Gérard Oury – Le cerveau AKA The Brain (1969)

    1961-1970ClassicsComedyFranceGérard Oury

    Synopsis:
    Not long after pulling off a spectacular train robbery in Great Britain, the criminal genius The Brain is soon planning his next lucrative enterprise. Joining forces with Mafia boss Scannapieco, he devises a scheme to steal the secret funds of the fourteen member countries of NATO whilst they are being transferred by train between Paris and Brussels. By chance, precisely the same plan has occurred to small-time crooks Arthur and Anatole. By imitating The Brain’s methods, they confidently set about the heist that will make them millionaires. Unfortunately, nothing goes quite as planned…Read More »

  • Jacques Besnard – Le grand restaurant AKA The Restaurant (1966)

    1961-1970ActionComedyFranceJacques Besnard

    M. Septime rules the renowned Paris restaurant “Chez Septime” with an iron fist. Grovelling before his rich and powerful customers, M. Septime feels free to treat his employees like children at best or like slaves at worst. M. Septime would be very happy if things just continued the way they are. But Destiny will have it otherwise. Indeed one day, Novales, a South American president, disappears while dining in his restaurant and it looks as if Septime has something to do with itRead More »

  • Anna Karina – Vivre ensemble (1973)

    1971-1980Anna KarinaDramaFranceThe Female Gaze

    Quote:
    A history teacher mets a hippy girl in Paris, he drops his job and starts a relation with her. So they start live together (vivre ensemble). A some point they do a trip to NY. Then they come back… Well this is the first film of Anna Karina as writer and director. Some images of Paris and NY in 72 are nice as an old postcard.Read More »

  • Krzysztof Kieslowski – La double vie de Véronique AKA The Double Life of Veronique (1991)

    1991-2000ArthouseDramaFranceKrzysztof Kieslowski

    Synopsis:

    Two parallel stories about two identical women; one living in Poland, the other in France. They don’t know each other, but their lives are nevertheless profoundly connected.

    Review:

    It is important to resist the temptation to figure out every last detail of “The Double Life of Veronique,” the mysterious and poetic new film by Krzysztof Kieslowski. That way lies frustration.Read More »

  • Abdellatif Kechiche – Vénus noire AKA Black Venus (2010)

    2001-2010Abdellatif KechicheDramaFrance

    Synopsis:
    The story of Saartjes Baartman, a Black domestic who, in 1808, left Southern Africa, then ruled by Dutch settlers, for Europe, following her boss Hendrick Caesar , hoping to find fame and fortune there. Once in London her master turned manager does nothing but exhibit her as a freak in a phony and humiliating carnival show. After a series of troubles caused by their act, Caesar, Saartje and their new friend, bear-tamer Réaux, head for Paris where once again, and against her will, she has to mimic savagery and expose her body, first in carnivals, then in the aristocratic salons of Paris, later on among the libertines and finally in brothels where she ends up being a prostitute. Read More »

  • Pierre Étaix – En pleine forme AKA Feeling Good (2010)

    2001-2010ComedyFrancePierre ÉtaixShort Film

    ‘Feeling Good,’ was originally one of the vignettes included in the director’s anthology feature ‘As Long as You’ve Got Your Health,’ but was later replaced with another short when Etaix was given the opportunity to re-work and re-release that film. In this comical misadventure, a man (Pierre Etaix) attempts to enjoy a camping trip out in the peaceful wilderness — but, as one might expect, he runs into a few issues, leading to a series of silly accidents. Eventually the man is forced into a satirically larger-than-life camping ground (fenced off like a prison) where he meets more bizarre characters and attempts to escape.Read More »

  • Fred Cavayé – Pour Elle AKA Anything for Her (2008)

    2001-2010CrimeFranceFred CavayéThriller

    Synopsis
    With no legal means left to him, a high school teacher devises a daring plan to rescue his wrongfully imprisoned wife from jail…Read More »

  • André Hunebelle – OSS 117 se déchaîne AKA OSS 117 Is Unleashed (1963)

    1961-1970ActionAndré HunebelleFranceThriller

    The story of [OSS 117 se déchaîne] follows secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath AKA OSS 117, as he investigates the recent death of fellow agent Roos who had an unfortunate accident off the shores of Bonifacio, France while scuba diving. Smelling foul play, Hubert flies into the coastal town of Bonifacio, interrogating all who had interacted with his late friend just before his death. His investigations eventually take him to a remote location, where a new submarine detector has been developed on. This new device could tip the fragile peace between warring factions and cast the earth into another world war, so obviously OSS 117 has to put a monkey wrench in their plans. This classy effort is as fun as it sounds, provided by some beautiful photography and an interesting and engaging cast.Read More »

  • André Hunebelle – Banco à Bangkok pour OSS 117 AKA Panic in Bangkok (1964)

    1961-1970ActionAndré HunebelleFranceThriller

    An evil Indian doctor, Dr.Guna Sinn […] working in Thailand has developed a biological weapon that will reduce the world’s population in accordance with his eugenicist beliefs. OSS 117 has to stop him with the help of a Thai sidekick and seduce the Indian doctor’s sister Lila while he is at it.’Read More »

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