Alainfind out
October 14th 2007 19:17
French Cinema
France is not only known for its eiffel tower, the french films have gained success since the invention of cinema. In the history of world cinema, France is known to be the inventor-in late 1800's, the first film was being introduced in a cafe in Paris. In 1910's, the American style influened the french film making but that influence was limited when it comes to the originality of the french cinema. Film makers like Abel Gance, Marcel L'Herbier and D.W Griffith had the opportunity to practice what they have learned from the Americans in terms of film art. In 1924, Abel Gance's film 'Napoleon' showed new camera movements and a greater length. Films were highly affected by the Germans and the Americans not only in techniques but also in production, particularly when films converted to sound production.
Later in 1930, French companies started sound production; one of these is Pathe Natan-a sign of a golden age in the cinema indstury . Pathe Natan produced many of the successful films including Jean Gabin's work. In this golden age, Jean Renoir appeared, who was and remained one of the greatest directors. Renoir fought to work under rigid circumstances, after the failure of many production companies until he worked with his friend the producer Pierrie Braunberger. They both made a great success out of their film 'Le Grande Illusion' that was heavily related to world war I. Such films made France the second country after the U.S, because of the originality, realism and presenting personal experiences that were very touchy.
You will never find any film industry in any part of the world that was not affected negatively by WWII. After the fall of France in 1940, the Nazis took over ,that made many film makers fled to other countries like the U.S. New comers appeared like Richard Bresson and Jacques Tati, presented films like 'Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne' and 'Le journal d'un cure de Campagne'.
French cinema grew rapidly till now. The question is what makes the French film successful?
French cinema is different and very French. In other words, every single detail in the film is cultural. They don't depend on imitating other foreign films that gained success. In addition, their films don't have huge budget like U.S. they work on smaller scale. There are also other factors like realism, innovation and different perception, comparable to the leading worldwide cinema-Hollywood, which masters the action, suspence and thriller. In the French cinema, the director uses his vision and imagination to the fullest. In other words, the director becomes the author or 'auteur' as the French say. The film critic Alexander Astruc described this theory stating 'a means of expression as subtle as that of a written language'.
Recently French film industry decided to maxmize their budget but still their uniqe style remains the same. Films like' Comment je me suis disputee' ', 'Romance', 'Wild side' and 'Wesh Wesh, qu'est ce qui se passe?'they all were produced in the last decade and gained popularity and success globally.
France is not only known for its eiffel tower, the french films have gained success since the invention of cinema. In the history of world cinema, France is known to be the inventor-in late 1800's, the first film was being introduced in a cafe in Paris. In 1910's, the American style influened the french film making but that influence was limited when it comes to the originality of the french cinema. Film makers like Abel Gance, Marcel L'Herbier and D.W Griffith had the opportunity to practice what they have learned from the Americans in terms of film art. In 1924, Abel Gance's film 'Napoleon' showed new camera movements and a greater length. Films were highly affected by the Germans and the Americans not only in techniques but also in production, particularly when films converted to sound production.
You will never find any film industry in any part of the world that was not affected negatively by WWII. After the fall of France in 1940, the Nazis took over ,that made many film makers fled to other countries like the U.S. New comers appeared like Richard Bresson and Jacques Tati, presented films like 'Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne' and 'Le journal d'un cure de Campagne'.
French cinema is different and very French. In other words, every single detail in the film is cultural. They don't depend on imitating other foreign films that gained success. In addition, their films don't have huge budget like U.S. they work on smaller scale. There are also other factors like realism, innovation and different perception, comparable to the leading worldwide cinema-Hollywood, which masters the action, suspence and thriller. In the French cinema, the director uses his vision and imagination to the fullest. In other words, the director becomes the author or 'auteur' as the French say. The film critic Alexander Astruc described this theory stating 'a means of expression as subtle as that of a written language'.
Recently French film industry decided to maxmize their budget but still their uniqe style remains the same. Films like' Comment je me suis disputee' ', 'Romance', 'Wild side' and 'Wesh Wesh, qu'est ce qui se passe?'they all were produced in the last decade and gained popularity and success globally.
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