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 Red Turtle (Blu-Ray) (2016)
7.5/10
Director: Michael Dudok de Wit
If one day Studio Ghibli decides to produce an animator from outside the studio, it will be him, was Miyazakis pronouncement after watching Dudok de... Read more
The Return Of Martin Guerre (1982)
7.4/10
Director: Daniel Vigne
Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Roger Planchon
Dramatisation of an extraordinary imposture that took place in the 16th century and became a legend; the husband leaves his family and years later, re... Read more
The Returned: Series 1 ( aka Les Revenants ) (2012)
8.2/10
Starring: Frederic Pierrot, Anne Consigny, Clotilde Hesme, Gregory Gadebois, Samir Guesmi
In an idyllic French Alpine village, a seemingly random collection of people find themselves in a state of confusion as they attempt to return to thei... Read more
The Returned: Series 2 ( aka Les Revenants ) (2015)
8.2/10
Director: Fabrice Gobert, Frederice Goupil
Starring: Frederic Pierrot, Anne Consigny, Clotilde Hesme, Samir Guesmi, Ana Girardot, Jen...
Six months after the flooding, the town is under control of the military as engineers work to fix the dam. With the military refusing to believe their... Read more
The Ring Finger ( L'annulaire ) (2005)
6.2/10
Director: Diane Bertrand
Starring: Olga Kurylenko, Stipe Erceg, Marc Barbe, Edith Scob
Yoko Ogawa's cult novel serves as the inspiration for director Diane Bertrand's haunting erotic drama starring Olga Kurylenko ('Quantum of Solace'). A... Read more
The Romance of Astrea and Celadon (2007)
6.4/10
Director: Eric Rohmer
Starring: Cecile Cassel, Andy Gillet, Veronique Reymond, Stephanie Crayencour
Veteran auteur Eric Rohmer's magical and extraordinary final film is a pastoral fantasy set in 5th century Gaul, based on a 17th century novel by Hono... Read more
The Rose Maker (2020)
6.2/10
Director: Pierre Pinaud
Starring: Catherine Frot
Eve Vernet was the largest rose grower. It is now on the verge of bankruptcy, on the verge of being bought out by a powerful competitor. In addition,... Read more
The Round Up (2011)
Director: Rose Bosch
Starring: Jean Reno, Melanie Laurent, Gad Elmaleh
Throws a powerful light on one of the most disturbing episodes in recent French history - the few weeks in July 1942 when the French police, at the di... Read more
The Rules of the Game (La Regle du Jeu) (1939)
8.1/10
Director: Jean Renoir
Starring: Marcel Dalio, Nora Gregor, Jean Renoir, Mila Parely
AKA 'La Regle du Jeu'. One of the greatest films of all time, a satirical anatomy of polite bourgeois society, with a mixture of farce and black comed... Read more
The Secret of the Grain (2007)
7.4/10
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Starring: Alice Houri, Hafsia Herzi, Abdelhamid Aktouche, Habib Boufares, Faridah Benkheta...
Aka 'Couscous'. The winner of four Cesar awards, including Best Picture and Director, Abdellatif Kechiche's 'The Secret of the Grain' is a stirring dr... Read more