FR268 French Cinema and Society from the First to the Second World War

The period from 1914 to 1945 in France was an exceptionally turbulent one, marked by two world wars, one global recession, several regime changes and a very high turnover of political leaders. However, this period also saw, in France as elsewhere, the evolution of the cinema from a primitive, circus-like entertainment to the highest-grossing national cultural output and a widely respected form of artistic expression. In France, in particular, the interwar period is often regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of French cinema, which gave rise to several of the most revered directors, most influential styles and most beloved movies in French film history. This module interrogates the articulation between this difficult social context and this remarkable artistic flowering by introducing students to this historical period through a set of celebrated French films and encouraging familiarity with some of the best known actors and directors of the period.

Module aims

To introduce to key works, artists, techniques and debates in the so-called ‘classical’ period of French cinema from the late 1910s until the mid-1940s.

To survey key events, actors, debates and problems in French social and political history of the period from the First World War to the Liberation.

To explore and critically debate the relationship of mutual influence and interpenetration between the social and political history of France and its cinematic representations during the same period.

To show how specific audiovisual techniques are used in filmmaking to convey ideas and emotions.

Syllabus:

1. Introduction: Studying history through film; looking at film historically: La Grande Illusion (1937)
2. French Cinema and the First World War: J’accuse (1919) and J'accuse (1938)

3. A French social cinema: Boudu sauvé des eaux (1932)

4. The Popular Front: La Belle Équipe (1936)
5. ‘Poetic realism’: Le Jour se lève (1939)
6. Reading week
7. Renoir the Master: La Règle du jeu (1939)
8. Filming under the Occupation: Le Corbeau (1943)
9. The Summit of Classical French cinema: Les Enfants du Paradis (1945)
10. Looking back: Panique (1946)

Assessment Method:

Assessed essay of 2,750-3,000 words (80%)

Recorded presentation of 10 minutes (20%)