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!
Marquise (1997)
6/10
Director: Vera Belmont
Starring: Sophie Marceau, Thierry Lhermitte, Lambert Wilson
A sprightly, lavish costume drama based on the fetching dancer-cum-thesp who dazzled Moliere, Racine and the Sun King himself before making a suitably... Read more
Marriages! (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Valerie Guignabodet
Starring: Didier Bezace, Miou-Miou, Mathilde Seigner, Jean Dujardin
This fun, frothy comedy explores relationships as only the French can! On the morning of Johanna and Benjamin's wedding, tensions are high. While the... Read more
Martyrs (2008)
7.1/10
Director: Pascal Laugier
Starring: Morjana Alaoui, Mylene Jampanoi, Catherine Begin, Robert Toupin, Patricia Tulasn...
The relentlessly brutal tale of a girl who, having suffered horrific abuse as a young child, is virtually catatonic after she makes a daring escape. H... Read more
Mary, Queen of Scots (2013)
5.5/10
Director: Thomas Imbach
Starring: Clive Russell, Tony Curran, Bruno Todeschini, Edward Hogg, Mehdi Dehbi, Camille...
Less of a sumptuous period piece (although those elements are there), Imbachs look at one of the worlds most intriguing historical, female figurehea... Read more
Masculin Feminin (1966)
7.6/10
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Starring: Chantal Goya, Jean-Pierre Leaud, Marlene Jobert
Godard was at the peak of his powers when he directed this tale of a young man, fresh out of the army, who becomes disillusioned with his life. For a... Read more
Masquerade (2022)
7.8/10
Starring: Pierre Niney, Isabelle Adjani, Francois Cluzet, Marine Vacth, Emmanuelle Devos,...
Adrien, an attractive dancer whose career was shattered by a motorcycle accident, squanders his youth in idleness. His life changes when he meets Marg... Read more
Max and the Junkmen (1971)
7.4/10
Director: Claude Sautet
Starring: Romy Schneider, Michel Piccoli, Bernard Fresson
A classic French noir with Michel Piccoli as Max, a former judge who joins the police force in an obsessive attempt to bring criminals to justice. He... Read more
Me and My Sister (2004)
6.4/10
Director: Alexandra Leclere
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Frot, Francois Berleand, Brigitte Catillon, Michel V...
The incomparable Isabelle Huppert is Martine, a controlling Parisian snob, trapped in a loveless marriage with everything she could want except happin... Read more
Me Two (2008)
5.7/10
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Alain Chabat, Marina Fois, Francois Damiens
Ranu, a shy accountant, suddenly discovers a completely opposite personality living in his head: 80's singer Gilles Gabriel. Read more
Me, Myself and Mum (2014)
6.7/10
Director: Guillaume Gallienne
Starring: Guillaume Gallienne, Diane Kruger
'Me, Myself and Mum' is a 2013 French autobiographical coming of age comedy film written, directed by and starring Guillaume Gallienne. A cheerful and... Read more