Cinema is considered the 7th art (7ème art) in France and it unveils essential aspects of 20th century French culture, society and history. This course aims at developing a good basic knowledge of French cinema and of the culture that produced it.
This course will explore the history of cinema in France from the Lumière brothers’ first films to the New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague). Several films will be analyzed and we will explore several movements since the birth of cinema in 1895: films by Auguste and Louis Lumière, Alice Guy, Georges Méliès, Marcel L’Herbier, Jean Renoir, Marcel Carné, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Goddard and Agnès Varda.
The emphasis will be placed on the study the history of French cinema from its origin to the New Wave through the lens of varied aspects of French civilization and society.
- Teaching coordinator: Schaffner Isabelle