World Cinema Locations: A Profile of France

This month, our film club is screening a film from France. Here’s a detailed look at the country behind the movie.

Key Facts

Capital: Paris
Area: 551,695 km²
Population: ~68 million
Official Languages: French
Currency: Euro (EUR)

Top 10 Tourist Attractions

• Eiffel Tower: An iconic wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, a global cultural icon of France.
• Louvre Museum: The world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, home to thousands of works including the Mona Lisa.
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris: A medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris, renowned for its French Gothic architecture.
• Musée d’Orsay: Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, this museum on the Left Bank of the Seine displays French art from 1848 to 1914, including Impressionist masterpieces.
• Arc de Triomphe: Standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, it honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
• Palace of Versailles: A lavish former royal residence and hunting lodge located in Versailles, famous for its Hall of Mirrors and extensive gardens.
• Mont Saint-Michel: A tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, famed for its medieval abbey and picturesque setting.
• French Riviera (Côte d’Azur): The Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, known for its glamorous resorts, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities like Nice and Cannes.
• Loire Valley Châteaux: A collection of stunning castles and stately homes along the Loire River, showcasing French Renaissance architecture and history.
• Provence Lavender Fields: Vast, fragrant fields of lavender that bloom in the summer, creating a breathtaking landscape in the Provence region.

Timeline of History

• c. 800 BCE: Celtic groups begin to arrive in Gaul.
• 58–50 BCE: Conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar.
• 800 CE: Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
• 1789: The French Revolution begins, leading to the end of the monarchy.
• 1804: Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of the French.
• 1870: The Third Republic is established after the Franco-Prussian War.
• 1940-1944: France is occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II.
• 1958: The Fifth Republic is established with a new constitution, leading to the current political system.

Culture

French culture is a rich tapestry woven from Celtic, Greco-Roman, and Germanic influences, renowned globally for its contributions to fashion, cuisine, art, and cinema. French cuisine is a gastronomic ballet, with socialising often centred around lengthy meals featuring dishes like boeuf bourguignon and ratatouille. Paris is a fashion capital, home to haute couture houses, and French style is characterised by effortless sophistication. Art and architecture are deeply ingrained, with Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces, and modern structures coexisting.

Paris was a major inspiration for Impressionist artists like Monet and Degas, and the Louvre Museum houses world-famous artworks. Cinema holds a special place in French culture, with a rich history from the Lumière brothers to contemporary independent films, celebrated annually at the French Film Festival.

Politics

France operates under a semi-presidential system, featuring both a President as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government. The President is directly elected by popular vote and appoints the Prime Minister, who is responsible to the bicameral Parliament. This system balances presidential authority with parliamentary oversight.

Film Connection

Céline Sciamma’s ‘Tomboy’ is a poignant French drama set in Paris, exploring themes of gender identity and childhood. French cinema has a long-standing tradition of artistic expression and tackling complex social issues, making it a fitting backdrop for a film that sensitively delves into the fluidity of gender and self-discovery, aligning with France’s cultural openness to diverse narratives.

😜Fun Fact: France is known as ‘L’Hexagone’ due to its distinct hexagonal geographical shape.