French and French-language Films
The Phantom of Liberty: a snapshot of modern life where social conventions and hypocrisy limit personal freedom and responsibility
Luis Buñuel, “The Phantom of Liberty / Le Fantôme de la Liberté” (1974) This film
Tag: French and French-language Films
Arabic-language Films | French and French-language Films | Italian and Italian-language Films | North African Films
The Battle of Algiers: excellent and powerful film dramatisation of the Algerian drive for independence
Gillo Pontecorvo, “The Battle of Algiers / La Bataille d’Alger / La Battaglia di Algeri”
British Films | French and French-language Films
Tess: flat characters and subdued approach in adapting novel to screen ensure a slow-moving trudge
Roman Polanski, “Tess” (1979) Closely based on the original Thomas Hardy novel “Tess of the
British Films | French and French-language Films | German and German-language Films
Mr Turner: a microcosm of 19th-century British society through the life of J M W Turner
Mike Leigh, “Mr Turner” (2014) I confess I always have the time of day for
French and French-language Films | West African Films
Timbuktu: a fragmentary set of parallel tales whose overall message is unclear
Abderrahmane Sissako, “Timbuktu” (2014) Set in northern Mali some time after the downfall of Colonel
French and French-language Films
Frantic: a cool and not at all frantic lightweight homage to Hitchcock
Roman Polanski, “Frantic” (1988) For a film proclaiming itself “Frantic”, this suspense thriller is surprisingly
British Films | French and French-language Films | German and German-language Films
The Ghost Writer: a straightforward story that deals fleetingly with the nature of US-UK relations
Roman Polanski, “The Ghost Writer” (2009) Circumstances surrounding this film were peculiar enough in themselves:
British Films | French and French-language Films
Mayerling: lavish visuals cannot hide workman-like script and direction, and wooden acting
Terence Young, “Mayerling” (1968) Better known perhaps for directing three James Bond films in the
Chinese and Chinese-language Films | French and French-language Films
Clean: a tale of caution and redemption lacking in spark and realism
Olivier Assayas, “Clean” (2004) Rare are the movies in which two main characters happen to
French and French-language Films
Hidden: a film about guilt, trust, colonial exploitation and manipulation of signs is overburdened by art and cleverness
Michael Haneke, “Caché / Hidden” (2005) An imaginative if overly layered thriller about a couple