Tag Archives: french mainstream cinema

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

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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

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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

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A Twisted Family in “Sitcom” [1998 France]

François Ozon is no stranger when it comes to pushing the envelope, and watching his comedy “Sitcom” on TV for the very first time had me cringing in my seat. This is black comedy of the darkest kind where nothing … Continue reading

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Remembering Sylvia Kristel from Chabrol’s underrated “Alice” [1977 France]

I would have liked this post to have been an elaborate tribute to one of the most remarkable personalities in European cinema, but will have to settle for paying my respects through an underrated gem from Claude Chabrol, “Alice ou … Continue reading

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