By Arturo Carranza and Carlos Maldonado
History of French Cinema
Cinema of France refers to the film industry based in France. The French cinema comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France, however, is also the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions.
HISTORY OF FRENCH CINEMA
Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle Vague (The New Wave) began in France. It is noted for having a particularly strong film industry, due in part to protections afforded by the french government. New Wave filmmakers were linked by their rejection of the literary period pieces being made in France and had spirit of youthful desire to shoot more current social issues on location as well as experimenting with the film form.
HISTORY OF FRENCH CINEMA
The French film industry in the late19 century and early 20th century was among the world's most important. Auguste and Louis Lumiere invented the cinematographe and their L'arrivee d'un train en gare de la Ciotatin Paris in 1895 is considered by many historians as the official birth of cinematography. The early days of the industry, from 1896 to 1902, saw the dominance of four firms: Path Freres, the Guamont Film Company, the George Melies company, and the lumieres.
FACTS OF FRENCH CINEMA
- Each year, over 200 million people see French films.
- One of the most popular French films ever was Amelie until the Intouchables in 2012.
- The French produce between 200-300 films per year.
- France's national film awards are the Cesar's held in February in Paris.
- The Cannes film festival is one of the most prestigious and publicized film festivals in the world.
- The French government have laws to assist films e.g. TV stations must invest in local films.
- Many English speaking films are also set in France.
- Paris has the highest density of cinemas in the world (movie theaters per inhabitant).
- Gerard Depardieu was one of the first French actors to make it big in American movies.
