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Le Cinema Francais: An Illustrated Guide to the Best of French Films
Le Cinéma Français is an irresistible illustrated guide and primer to the best of French films, starting with the 1950s, through the spectrum of French New Wave, and on to modern-day confections.
Starring the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau, and directed by iconoclasts such as Francois Truffaut, Eric Rohmer, and Jean-Luc Godard, French movies are as touching, beautiful, and romantic as they come in all of film. Le Cinéma Français captures their spirit in whimsical detail. Each movie is covered with a plot summary; back stories; and illustrations by author/artist Anne Keenan Higgins of highlight scenes, costumes, props, and characters that are as enchanting as the films themselves.
This gorgeously gifty tribute to French cinema is not just for movie buffs or followers of international films, but for all who are enchanted by French culture.
Starring the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau, and directed by iconoclasts such as Francois Truffaut, Eric Rohmer, and Jean-Luc Godard, French movies are as touching, beautiful, and romantic as they come in all of film. Le Cinéma Français captures their spirit in whimsical detail. Each movie is covered with a plot summary; back stories; and illustrations by author/artist Anne Keenan Higgins of highlight scenes, costumes, props, and characters that are as enchanting as the films themselves.
This gorgeously gifty tribute to French cinema is not just for movie buffs or followers of international films, but for all who are enchanted by French culture.
- GenresNonfictionFrance
136 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 28, 2024
A joyous celebration of French film with wonderful art. A nice overview of some great films and it’s turned me on to some new ones.
March 23, 2022
As a student of both cinema appreciation, and now of the French language, I was delighted by Anne Keenan Higgins', "Le Cinema Francais: An Illustrated Guide to the Best of French Films", and how it expanded on my knowledge of French cinema (and gave me a chance to practice my novice French).
During film school I was able to become familiar with several of the titles in this book (The 400 Blows, Le Samourai, and Hiroshima Mon Amour), as well as screen several of the films inside and outside of class (Les Diaboliques, Amelie, and The Artist). However, there were several titles I was hardly familiar with or have not screened yet that I am now adding to my To-Watch List.
Side Note: Most of my "_____ List(s)" are actually scrolls, given their length.
There is, without doubt, a Parisian influence on Keenan Higgins artwork. She alludes to the reason for that in her introduction to the book, and how French cinema shaped her overall sense of style. Whether it is her clothes, her choice in cinema, or her illustrations: Vive la France! I would be interested in her prints, whether they depict actual French locations and people, or if they are a simple pattern on a dish cloth.
The book is certainly one for those who, like me, enjoy trivia as well as analysis. You will find both the reason why a particular film was a success (or a flop) as well as adjectives that show the author's opinion on the piece within the same sentence. The balance works well, and I could see it complimenting a film appreciation course reading list.
If anyone would or could recommend similar books related to international cinema I would truly appreciate it!
During film school I was able to become familiar with several of the titles in this book (The 400 Blows, Le Samourai, and Hiroshima Mon Amour), as well as screen several of the films inside and outside of class (Les Diaboliques, Amelie, and The Artist). However, there were several titles I was hardly familiar with or have not screened yet that I am now adding to my To-Watch List.
Side Note: Most of my "_____ List(s)" are actually scrolls, given their length.
There is, without doubt, a Parisian influence on Keenan Higgins artwork. She alludes to the reason for that in her introduction to the book, and how French cinema shaped her overall sense of style. Whether it is her clothes, her choice in cinema, or her illustrations: Vive la France! I would be interested in her prints, whether they depict actual French locations and people, or if they are a simple pattern on a dish cloth.
The book is certainly one for those who, like me, enjoy trivia as well as analysis. You will find both the reason why a particular film was a success (or a flop) as well as adjectives that show the author's opinion on the piece within the same sentence. The balance works well, and I could see it complimenting a film appreciation course reading list.
If anyone would or could recommend similar books related to international cinema I would truly appreciate it!
May 27, 2020
OK so we have a new leader in terms of spoiler counts…This is basically a succession of film spoilers. I’ve read my fair share of these kinds of books, but never ever have I come across anything which makes such an effort to ruin so many plots to so many films in such a short space of time. It’s incredible and I remain puzzled as to what she and the editors were thinking?...Who is the target audience?...If you are trying to encourage a new audience then why spoil the plot to almost every single film you describe?...
There is an overwhelming emphasis on the French New Wave period of the 50s and 60s and a handful of modern ones by the excellent Jean-Pierre Jeunet, though there are some surprising omissions with only a solitary offering from the Cinema du look period in “Diva”, one of only two choices from the 80s. Then there’s the absence of “La Haine”, “Au revoir les enfants” and the hilarious “Le Diner de Cons”. But hey I suppose like any “best of” list its horses for courses.
These films are neither listed in alphabetical or chronological order, which puzzled and annoyed me in equal measure. It starts off in chronological order before it grows bored and before you know it you’ve got “Au hazard Balthazar” from 1966 jammed between films in 1969 and 1970? That’s either really poor editing or an experimental approach to writing a guide. We doesn’t always get the English titles to the movies and there are some minor inaccuracies with one or two of the synopses too.
The art work is decent enough and it works really well, it was a clever touch to draw some of the memorable objects or scenes from some of the movies. Higgins does a good enough job with her recommendations, so thank you very much for those. I really wanted to love this book, the idea is promising, but this is sorely let down by the delivery, and even if this contained the best writing imaginable; these glaring flaws diminish its appeal. I understand these flaws are unlikely to annoy everyone and if you have already seen these films or don’t mind spoilers then this could well be for you, if not you have been warned.
There is an overwhelming emphasis on the French New Wave period of the 50s and 60s and a handful of modern ones by the excellent Jean-Pierre Jeunet, though there are some surprising omissions with only a solitary offering from the Cinema du look period in “Diva”, one of only two choices from the 80s. Then there’s the absence of “La Haine”, “Au revoir les enfants” and the hilarious “Le Diner de Cons”. But hey I suppose like any “best of” list its horses for courses.
These films are neither listed in alphabetical or chronological order, which puzzled and annoyed me in equal measure. It starts off in chronological order before it grows bored and before you know it you’ve got “Au hazard Balthazar” from 1966 jammed between films in 1969 and 1970? That’s either really poor editing or an experimental approach to writing a guide. We doesn’t always get the English titles to the movies and there are some minor inaccuracies with one or two of the synopses too.
The art work is decent enough and it works really well, it was a clever touch to draw some of the memorable objects or scenes from some of the movies. Higgins does a good enough job with her recommendations, so thank you very much for those. I really wanted to love this book, the idea is promising, but this is sorely let down by the delivery, and even if this contained the best writing imaginable; these glaring flaws diminish its appeal. I understand these flaws are unlikely to annoy everyone and if you have already seen these films or don’t mind spoilers then this could well be for you, if not you have been warned.
December 5, 2023
A stocking stuffer at most. The drawings are a little generic - none of the cartoons looked anything like the actors who played the parts - and anyone who is a fan of French cinema will have seen these films (there are no hidden gems here). Anyone who is not yet a fan of French cinema won't really be enticed by these entries as they are mostly just plot synopsizes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews