French Cinema
The influence of France on the world screen is undeniable. From early inventors and pioneers such as the Lumiere Brothers, George Melies and Alice Guy Blache, the birth of cinema can virtually be traced back to French shores. Cinematic innovators such as Jean Renoir and Michael Carne followed. By the 1960s New Wave directors like Truffaut, Godard and Chabrol had an indelible impact on fledgling American film makers such as Scorsese, Coppola and Bogdanovich who revolutionised the way films were made in the US; studios fell, auteurs ruled. With the advent of television, French film budgets shrank but thanks to government intervention and a good deal of imagination, French cinema is still going strong with contemporary talents like Jean-Jaques Beineix, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Luc Besson and the controversial Gaspar Noe.
At Alice we're very proud of our extensive French collection, covering all genres from French farce to period drama, magical realism to mystery and suspense. Viva la France!
House of Pleasures ( House of Tolerance / L'Apollonide (Souvenirs de la maison close) ) (2011)
Director: Bertrand Bonello
Starring: Hafsia Herzi, Noemie Lvovsky, Xavier Beauvois, Adele Haenel, Jasmine Trinca, Cel...
In this lush, atmospheric look at the final days of an elegant, turn-of-the-century brothel, we go inside the cloistered walls of LApollonide to meet... Read more
How Much Do You Love Me? (2005)
5.7/10
Director: Bertrand Blier
Starring: Monica Bellucci, Gerard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Bernard Campan
The voluptuous Monica Bellucci stars as a prostitute hired to play wife to a lonely lotto winner in a role specifically written for her. Bumbling Fran... Read more
How To Be A Good Wife (2020)
Director: Martin Provost
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Yolande Moreau, Noemie Lvovsky, Edouard Baer, Francois Berlean...
Paulette and her husband have been running a housekeeping school. After the sudden death of her husband, Paulette discovers that the school is on the... Read more
Human Zoo (2008)
6.2/10
Director: Rie Rasmussen
Starring: Nikola Djuricko, Rie Rasmussen, Nick Corey
Set against the conflict in Kosovo and mafia activities in France, "Human Zoo" is the story of a young woman battling to break free of her destiny. A... Read more
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)
7/10
Director: Ariane Louis-Seize
Starring: Sara Montpetit
Young vampire Sasha has a serious problem: she can't kill. Her exasperated parents cut off her blood supply, putting her life in jeopardy. Sasha meets... Read more
Hunter Will Get You (1976)
6.6/10
Director: Philippe Labro
Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Bruno Cremer
In France, the slang-word for "bounty hunter" is "alpagueur." When the police are working on cases where they do not want their presence officially kn... Read more
Hunting and Gathering (2007)
6.8/10
Director: Claude Berri
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Guillaume Canet, Laurent Stocker, Francoise Bertin, Alain Sachs,...
AKA "Ensemble, C'est Tout". An uplifting and charming romantic comedy following the lives of several lonely Parisians; Audrey Tautou stars as an anore... Read more
I Do Or How to Get Married and Stay Single (2006)
Director: Eric Lartigau
Starring: Alain Chabat, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bernadette Lafont, Wladimir Yordanoff, Grego...
AKA "Prete-moi Ta Main". Luis (Alain Chabat) is living the good life, with a mother and five sisters looking after his every whim. However they are ke... Read more
I Feel Good (2018)
6/10
Director: Benoit Delepine, Gustave Kervern
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Yolande Moreau
He's lived too long off his parents and it's time for 40-year-old slacker Jacques to get by on his own. A one-time gigolo and a borderline bum, he kno... Read more
I Killed My Mother (2009)
7.5/10
Director: Xavier Dolan
Starring: Suzanne Clement, Niels Schneider, Xavier Dolan
Sixteen year-old Hubert Minel doesn't love his mother. He haughtily regards her with contempt, and only sees her tacky sweaters, kitsch decorations an... Read more