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 Dinner Guest (2007)
5.8/10
Director: Laurent Bouhnik
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Valerie Lemercier, Thierry Lhermitte, Hippolyte Girardot
AKA "L'Invite". A frivolous comedy of errors made entertaining by its esteemed cast; Daniel Auteuil stars as unemployed Gerard, a man with the opportu... Read more
The Disappearance ( Disparue ) (2015)
7.3/10
Starring: Alice Pol, Francois-Xavier Demaison, Alix Poisson, Laurent Bateau, Pierre-Franco...
On the night of a music festival, 17-year-old Lea Morel (Camille Razat) doesn't return home and is deemed missing. Commandant Molina (Francois-Xavier... Read more
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
8/10
Director: Luis Bunuel
Starring: Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig, Bulle Ogier
Luis Bunuel's classic satire is filled with savage wit and some of the director's most surrealistic images. Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig and Stephane... Read more
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
8/10
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josee Croze, Anne Consigny, Patrick C...
Based on the best-selling memoir of the same name, this is the remarkable true story of Jean Dominic Bauby, wealthy playboy and editor of the French '... Read more
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly ( Blu-ray ) (2007)
8/10
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric, Max von Sydow, Niels Arestrup, Patrick Ches...
Based on the best-selling memoir of the same name, this is the remarkable true story of Jean Dominic Bauby, wealthy playboy and editor of the French '... Read more
The Dreamers (2003)
7.2/10
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel, Robin Renucci, Anna Chancellor
Aka "Les Innocents". Director Bernardo Bertolucci's provocative, sensual drama centers on American exchange student Matthew (Michael Pitt) who befrien... Read more
The Dreamlife of Angels (1998)
7.5/10
Director: Erick Zonca
Starring: Elodie Bouchez, Natacha Regnier, Gregoire Colin
This highly praised debut effort from Erick Zonca focuses on the complex relationship between two young women who meet at a clothing factory in Lille,... Read more
The Emperor's Journey ( aka La Marche De L'Empereur ) (2005)
Director: Luc Jacquet
Starring: Narrated by, Romane Bohringer, Charles Berling, Jules Sitruk
Filmmaker Luc Jacquet's original French language version of his Academy Award-winning documentary, 'March of the Penguins'. Unlike the American releas... Read more
The Escort (1999)
6.3/10
Director: Michael Blanc
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Stuart Townsend, Noah Taylor, Frances Barber, Claire Skinner
Daniel Auteuil is Pierre, a French academic who leaves his family in Paris feeling that his life has been without risk or challenge. He moves to Lond... Read more
The Extraordinary (The Specials) (2019)
8.6/10
Director: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Starring: Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb
The story of two men, educators of children and adolescents with autism. Read more