Category Archives: France

Lampooning pseudo-liberalism, “Une partie de plaisir” [1975 France]

In 1975, Claude Chabrol made two successive films that related to infidelity. The first of the two, “Une partie de plaisir” [Eng. Titles: A Piece of Pleasure, Pleasure Party], concerns Philippe – a pseudo-liberal, whose ego and controlling behaviour will … Continue reading

Posted in Claude Chabrol, France | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An ode to a baroque artist: “Tous les matins du monde” [1991 France]

To do full justice to Alain Corneau’s beautiful masterpiece “Tous les matins du monde” [Eng. Title: All the Mornings of the World] would require a deeper understanding of classical music than I possess, but that still couldn’t stop me from … Continue reading

Posted in Anne Brochet, France | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

High art in a Parisian afternoon – Varda’s “Cléo de 5 à 7” [1962 France, Italy]

The French New Wave will be incomplete without the redoubtable Agnès Varda – in fact, critics even credit her earlier works as the forerunner of the Nouvelle Vague. Whatever the case, Varda’s magnificent 1962 masterpiece “Cléo de 5 à 7” … Continue reading

Posted in Agnès Varda, France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Of daydreams and hidden desires – “Belle de Jour” [1967 France, Italy]

Let’s open the great Luis Buñuel’s filmography with one of his more recognisable works, “Belle de Jour”. His first film in colour is also regarded by many as among the best films of all time. Buñuel’s most commercially successful film, … Continue reading

Posted in Catherine Deneuve, France, Luis Buñuel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taking us for a ride – Rivette’s “Céline et Julie vont en Bateau” [1974 France]

The headline might sound a bit disrespectful, but it is this film’s very virtue – and the ride, actually quite joyful. Jacques Rivette’s ingenius “Céline et Julie vont en Bateau” [Eng. Title: Celine and Julie go Boating] explores the art … Continue reading

Posted in France, Jacques Rivette | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment