Here are the top 10 selections:
La Haine (1995): Written and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, this film tells a 24-hour story set in a poor suburb of Paris. The film revolves around a group of young people, including a young Arab and Jewish man, and addresses the challenges and discrimination experienced by young people in the lower classes of French society.
Amélie (2001): Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, this film follows the life of a young woman named Amélie Poulain (played by Audrey Tautou) who lives in Paris. Amélie starts to intervene in people’s lives and, in the process, finds true love for herself. The film is considered an example of French romanticism.
Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959): Directed by François Truffaut, this film portrays the life of a child in Paris. The child, named Antoine Doinel (played by Jean-Pierre Léaud), comes from a poor family and starts to commit crimes due to problems he faces at school and at home. Les Quatre Cents Coups is one of the most important films of the New Wave movement.
Breathless (1960): Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, this film tells a crime story set in Paris. The film also explores the romantic relationship between journalist Patricia Franchini (played by Jean Seberg) and a thief named Michel Poiccard (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo). Breathless is one of the most iconic films of the New Wave movement.
Jules et Jim (1962): Directed by François Truffaut, this film portrays the love triangle between two friends, Jules (played by Oskar Werner) and Jim (played by Henri Serre), and the same woman (played by Jeanne Moreau) they both fall in love with, set before and after World War I. Jules et Jim is one of the most famous and beloved films of the French New Wave movement.
Belle de Jour (1967): Directed by Luis Buñuel, this film portrays the life of a Parisian woman named Séverine (played by Catherine Deneuve). Despite being married to a wealthy man, Séverine starts working as a prostitute. The film has an erotic and surreal atmosphere.
Pierrot le Fou (1965): Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, this film tells the story of Ferdinand (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo), a man who runs away with his lover Marianne (played by Anna Karina) and embarks on a wild adventure. Pierrot le Fou is considered one of Godard’s most iconic films and one of the most important works of the French New Wave movement.
The Intouchables (2011): Directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, this film tells the story of the friendship between a wealthy man (played by François Cluzet) and his caregiver, an African immigrant (played by Omar Sy). The film is based on a true story and is considered an emotional comedy.
The Artist (2011): Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, this film is about the silent film era. The film tells the story of famous silent film actor George Valentin’s (Jean Dujardin) decline with the rise of talkies and the ascent of young actress Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). The Artist has won many awards, including Academy Awards.
Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987): Directed by Louis Malle, this film takes place in a boarding school during World War II. The film portrays the difficulties faced by a Jewish child after his true identity is revealed, who was a friend to the protagonist in the school. Au Revoir Les Enfants is considered as an emotionally impactful film.
These films are some of the most important works of French cinema, and each of them has managed to captivate audiences with their unique style and storytelling language. These iconic works of French cinema are a must-watch for cinephiles.
