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!
Double Lover (L'Amant double) (Blu-ray) (2017)
7.6/10
Director: Francois Ozon
Starring: Marine Vacth, Jeremie Renier, Jacqueline Bisset
Chloé, a woman with a fragile mental state, falls for her psychoanalyst, Paul. But after moving in with him a few months later, she discovers a part o... Read more
The Artist and the Model (2012)
6.6/10
Director: Fernando Trueba
Starring: Jean Rochefort, Claudia Cardinale
Marc Cros, an elderly sculptor, lives with his wife Lea in the south of France, safe from the War that rages in the distance. He seems to have reached... Read more
Shoot the Piano Player ( aka Shoot the Pianist ) (Blu-ray) (1960)
7.5/10
Director: Francois Truffaut
Starring: Charles Aznavour, Marie Dubois, Nicole Berger
This early Truffaut gem pays homage to the Hollywood gangster thrillers, combining the style of American film noir with all the mood, twists, visual j... Read more
Beauty and the Beast ( La Belle et la Bete ) (Blu-ray) (1946)
8/10
Director: Jean Cocteau
Starring: Josette Day, Jean Marais
Once upon a time, in a world of magic and wonder, the true love of a beautiful girl finally dispelled the torment of a feral but gentle-hearted beast.... Read more
Carlos the Jackal (Blu-ray) (2010)
7.6/10
Director: Olivier Assayas
Starring: Edgar Ramirez, Nora Von Waldstatten
From Olivier Assayas, director of 'Irma Vep' and 'Summer Hours', comes an explosive new work of astonishing scope; an epic portrayal of the notorious... Read more
Le Beau Serge (Blu-ray) (1958)
7.2/10
Director: Claude Chabrol
Starring: Gerard Blain, Jean-Claude Brialy, Michele Meritz, Bernadette Lafont
The first film from French critic-turned-director Claude Chabrol sees ailing city-dweller Francois (Jean-Claude Brialy) make a therapeutic trip back t... Read more
Brief Crossing (2001)
6.8/10
Director: Catherine Breillat
Desire for a subject that functions like a brief fling with no future as such, yet embellished by that very fact. Because something fleeting and futur... Read more
The Witnesses (Les Témoins) (2007)
6.8/10
Director: Andre Techine
Starring: Michel Blanc, Emmanuelle Beart, Sami Bouajila
Paris, 1984: A group of friends contend with the first outbreak of the AIDS epidemic. Read more
Henry the 4th (2011)
Director: Jo Baier
Starring: Julien Boisselier, Joachim Krol
A portrait of Henry of Navarre (later the much-loved King Henry IV of France) whose life defining act was declaring religious freedom for all in 1598... Read more
Love Songs for Tough Guys (2021)
Starring: Francois Damiens, Ramzy Bedia, Vanessa Paradis, Joey Starr, Bouli Lanners
In a port city, the lives of a few isolated people, used to violence, are strongly influenced by the love they feel for each other. Choices, envy, lov... Read more