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!
The Barbarian Invasions (2003)
7.7/10
Director: Denys Arcand
Starring: Remy Girard, Stephane Rousseau, Marie-Josee Croze, Dorothee Berryman
Reuniting the characters first introduced in his 1986 "The Decline of the American Empire," director Denys Arcand's Oscar-winning (Best Foreign Langua... Read more
The Battle of Algiers (Special Edition) (1966)
8.1/10
Director: Gillo Pontecorvo
One of the most influential political films in history, Gillo Pontecorvo's "The Battle of Algiers" vividly recreates a key year in the tumultuous Alge... Read more
The Beast (1975)
5.8/10
Director: Walerian Borowczyk
Starring: Guy Trejan, Lisabeth Hummel, Sirpa Lane, Elizabeth Kaza
AKA 'La Bete'. Passing New Zealand censors for the first time, Walerian Borowcyzyk's official director's cut of his controversial film can finally be... Read more
The Beat My Heart Skipped (2005)
Director: Jacques Audiard
Starring: Romain Duris, Niels Arestrup, Linh Dan Pham, Aure Atika, Emmanuelle Devos
This powerful French drama finds Tom (Romian Duris) torn between two worlds. His love of music and desire to be a concert pianist and his job working... Read more
The Beautiful Person (La belle personne) (2008)
6.6/10
Director: Christophe Honore
Starring: Louis Garrel, Lea Seydoux, Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet
Cute Junie starts at her cousin Matthias' high school and class after her mom's death. She meets his friends. The boys want to date her - even her han... Read more
The Belier Family (2014)
Director: Eric Lartigau
Starring: Karin Viard, Francois Damiens, Louane Emera, Eric Elmosnino, Roxane Duran
For the Béliers their sixteen-year-old daughter Paula is a vital member of their eccentric clan. As the only non-deaf member of the family she acts as... Read more
The Big Blue (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno
Luc Besson ('Nikita', 'Subway') delves into the watery mysteries of the deep in this salute to the legendary free diver Jacques Mayol who has plunged... Read more
The Big Blue ( Blu-ray ) (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Jean Reno, Jean-Marc Barr, Rosanna Arquette
Luc Besson ('Nikita', 'Subway') delves into the watery mysteries of the deep in this salute to the legendary free diver Jacques Mayol who has plunged... Read more
The Big Blue: Extended Version (1988)
6.8/10
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno
Luc Besson ('Nikita', 'Subway') delves into the watery mysteries of the deep in this salute to the legendary free diver Jacques Mayol who has plunged... Read more
The Big Hit (2020)
7.3/10
Director: Emmanuel Courcol
Starring: Kad Merad, Marina Hands, Laurent Stocker
Etienne, an often out of work but endearing actor, runs a theater workshop in a prison, where he brings together an unlikely troupe of prisoners to st... Read more