I loved, and would also recommend White, and Red, as well even though Binoche is not in the other two. And I see from Wikipedia that White was made in Polish. I guess I just like Kieślowski a lot. The trilogy led me to see others of his.
It's on my mind because this morning I read this post from an American who lives in Portugal now, about her family's travel in Poland this summer and her thoughts about that https://substack.com/@ladonnawitmer/note/p-166720866?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=ab8m6 and together with this one from Carolyn and Roberto has me musing on the view of life that is "European" vs "American" atm.
Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise), produced under war conditions in 1943, 1944, and early 1945 in both Vichy France and Occupied France. Even the crowd scenes in the streets!
Most memorable line: "Paris est tout petit pour ceux qui s'aiment, comme nous, d'un si grand amour !"
two newish pretty great movies: En Fanfare (called The Marching Band in English) and Souleyman’s Story (a must see). Both from the French Film Festival in NYC but out in France last year.
I always thought that the ship of state was too unruly for an individual or small group to pilot it into overly turbulent waters. Never did I think saboteurs would just sink it and pick at the wreckage. Someone apparently had other ideas and a long view.
Now the task falls to us to salvage the wreck and raise it up. It is not a time for despair but rather the patience and strength to renew and improve the lot of those with the least with the help of those with the most and correct the mistakes of the past.
Two with Gérard Depardieu: The Return of Martin Guerre/Le Retour de Martin Guerre and Jean de Florette. Jean de Florette is one part of a two-part story, so the other half, Manon des sources/Manon of the Spring also.
And...my mother's family came to Texas in the 1870s, I lived there my whole life until moving to Portugal a little over 2 years ago. Yellow dog Democrat all my life, my first vote was for Shirley Chisholm. Never once voted for a Republican. Austinite from age 21-65. Block walked, phone banked, door knocked, stuffed envelopes, whatever, for Democrats, was a sworn-in volunteer voter registrar for years. My heroes: Molly Ivins was in my yoga class a few times, spoke to and shook hands with Barbara Jordan (a thrill!), had my hair cut by the same hairdresser and shared a veterinarian with Ann Richards. (Note, my hair looked NOTHING like Ann's. The hairdresser was both very good and very versatile.)
I get especially livid about the "Texans" voted for Trump narrative when I think of this - more Texans, 4,835,250, voted for Harris in 2024 than New Yorkers, 4,619,195.
And yet, I, and you, get blamed for Trump. My attitude is getting more French ....
Oui, I was surprised to see Jean de Florette etc. did not make the list. Maybe this bartender is of a younger generation. Probably the sexual misconduct of Gerard though, the French are all “I don’t know him”. New Yorkers should be cancelled, those numbers are terrible. (Said from NY) Amazing you got to vote for Shirley, Jackie. Your spirit is truly American!
The most important version of Les Mis to watch is the most recent one, from 2019, directed by Ladj Ly. Absolutely crucial for understanding racial and ethnic tensions in France today.
As someone already pointed out, Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis also belongs on the list, an absolute goldmine of information about how the French view the North vs the South.
Bonjour. Re: "la Belle Epoque." Your waiter is likely referring to the Nicolas Bedos movie with a stellar cast (Daniel Auteuil, Fanny Ardant.) It came out in 2019 and got excellent reviews. It's in French, not in Spanish. :-)
Anything with Juliet Binoche, but especially “A Taste of Things” and “Blue”
I loved, and would also recommend White, and Red, as well even though Binoche is not in the other two. And I see from Wikipedia that White was made in Polish. I guess I just like Kieślowski a lot. The trilogy led me to see others of his.
It's on my mind because this morning I read this post from an American who lives in Portugal now, about her family's travel in Poland this summer and her thoughts about that https://substack.com/@ladonnawitmer/note/p-166720866?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=ab8m6 and together with this one from Carolyn and Roberto has me musing on the view of life that is "European" vs "American" atm.
I loved Indochine. And Les Intouchables. I'll try to think of some others - I know there were more over the years.
These are comedies, but getting to understand the French sense of humour can be helpful:
- Bienvenue chez Les Ch’tis - comedy about southern French postman “exiled” to northern France.
- L’armacouer - about brother/sister team hired to break up problematic engagement.
La Grande Seduction - French Canadian (different accent) about teeny community trying to lure a new doctor.
Some of my favorites:
- Les Cages aux Folles (1978)
- Brice de Nice (2005)
- Le Pacte des Loups (2001)
- OSS 117 (2006)
- Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006) / Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2 (2017) - from Quebec
Not films, per se, but the Lupin series they did on Netflix is outstanding!
Love Lupin and Call My Agent!
How could I forget Call My Agent??? Loved it!
Betty Blue—tragic but oh so good
Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise), produced under war conditions in 1943, 1944, and early 1945 in both Vichy France and Occupied France. Even the crowd scenes in the streets!
Most memorable line: "Paris est tout petit pour ceux qui s'aiment, comme nous, d'un si grand amour !"
two newish pretty great movies: En Fanfare (called The Marching Band in English) and Souleyman’s Story (a must see). Both from the French Film Festival in NYC but out in France last year.
Joyeux Noel is one of my all-time favorites. By the way, I am a native Texan, and I hate Trump with all my mind, all my body, and all my soul.
I always thought that the ship of state was too unruly for an individual or small group to pilot it into overly turbulent waters. Never did I think saboteurs would just sink it and pick at the wreckage. Someone apparently had other ideas and a long view.
Now the task falls to us to salvage the wreck and raise it up. It is not a time for despair but rather the patience and strength to renew and improve the lot of those with the least with the help of those with the most and correct the mistakes of the past.
Two with Gérard Depardieu: The Return of Martin Guerre/Le Retour de Martin Guerre and Jean de Florette. Jean de Florette is one part of a two-part story, so the other half, Manon des sources/Manon of the Spring also.
And...my mother's family came to Texas in the 1870s, I lived there my whole life until moving to Portugal a little over 2 years ago. Yellow dog Democrat all my life, my first vote was for Shirley Chisholm. Never once voted for a Republican. Austinite from age 21-65. Block walked, phone banked, door knocked, stuffed envelopes, whatever, for Democrats, was a sworn-in volunteer voter registrar for years. My heroes: Molly Ivins was in my yoga class a few times, spoke to and shook hands with Barbara Jordan (a thrill!), had my hair cut by the same hairdresser and shared a veterinarian with Ann Richards. (Note, my hair looked NOTHING like Ann's. The hairdresser was both very good and very versatile.)
I get especially livid about the "Texans" voted for Trump narrative when I think of this - more Texans, 4,835,250, voted for Harris in 2024 than New Yorkers, 4,619,195.
And yet, I, and you, get blamed for Trump. My attitude is getting more French ....
Oui, I was surprised to see Jean de Florette etc. did not make the list. Maybe this bartender is of a younger generation. Probably the sexual misconduct of Gerard though, the French are all “I don’t know him”. New Yorkers should be cancelled, those numbers are terrible. (Said from NY) Amazing you got to vote for Shirley, Jackie. Your spirit is truly American!
Yes he is in his 30s. I watched Jean de Florette in the theater when it came out. I need to rewatch.
Molly Ivins is my hero!
Intouchables is a great movie! Watched it recently, I've also heard great things about Amelie
You list is a very good starting point.
The most important version of Les Mis to watch is the most recent one, from 2019, directed by Ladj Ly. Absolutely crucial for understanding racial and ethnic tensions in France today.
As someone already pointed out, Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis also belongs on the list, an absolute goldmine of information about how the French view the North vs the South.
Nothing more french than Jeux D'Enfants! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364517/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1
Bonjour. Re: "la Belle Epoque." Your waiter is likely referring to the Nicolas Bedos movie with a stellar cast (Daniel Auteuil, Fanny Ardant.) It came out in 2019 and got excellent reviews. It's in French, not in Spanish. :-)