Skip to main content

French Cinema from Paris to Cannes

Syllabus (subject to change)

Prerequisite: none.

Course description: Traces the social and technological history of French Film. All required films are subtitled in English. Readings and discussions in English.

Required text: Rémi Fournier Lanzoni, French Cinema From Its Beginnings to the Present (NY: Bloomsbury). 2nd Edition. Buy etext at Amazon.com before coming.

Films will be seen together in a group or on Brightspace, except for the Film Festival where students may select the films they wish to see. All film viewing sessions are required.

Absence policy: Unexcused absences hinder the progress not only of the individual student but often of the entire class. It is expected that students will be present for all events in this class, and absences will be noted and will affect the final grade.

Assignments and grading:

  • Students will keep a journal, which can be handwritten in a notebook, or on a computer or website. This journal will reflect on the films, museums, and visits for the day as well as the assigned reading. (10%)
  • Students will create a project based on their interests and experiences in the program. This creative project may be a film, multimedia website, or other pre-approved product. (30%)
  • Students will present the history and importance of one director (as assigned) to the class. (10%)
  • Students will present one museum or cultural event the day before we go, in groups, as assigned. (10%)
  • Students will give an oral report of what they did and saw each day. These reports may be done in groups. (10%)
  • Students will actively participate in discussion and scheduled visits. Students must clearly show that they did the assigned reading. (30%)

Before your departure:

Please watch the following films before arriving in France: Hugo (USA, Scorsese, 2011); Day for Night (France, Truffaut, 1973); Safe Conduct (France, Tavernier, 2002). These films and the other films for the class will be available on BrightSpace or Kanopy. These films will provide a backdrop for the class and will be discussed from the first day.

Students will take a night flight to Paris, arriving by May 6. Students are not required to take the same flight, but a suggested itinerary will be provided so that students can travel together.

USA: May 5

Leave for Paris in the evening, arriving in the morning of May 6. Suggested flights can be arranged through World Travel.

Paris: May 6-14

Hotel Les Citadines, Place d’Italie, Paris https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/france/citadines-place-ditalie-paris

Monday, May 6 – Arrival

  • Arrival and transfer to hotel
  • Check-in
  • On-site orientation
  • Welcome dinner

Tuesday, May 7 – Early French Film

  • Before class: WATCH Méliès, Un Chien Andalou (Buñuel/Dali), READ French Cinema, Chapter 1
  • In class: discussion of early French cinema with examples from Lumière, Vigo
  • Montmartre walking tour
  • Studio 28 screening

Wednesday, May 8 – Golden Age Cinema

  • Before class: WATCH Crime of M. Lange (Renoir); READ: French Cinema, Chapter 2
  • In class: discussion of Surrealism and Golden Age film, especially Renoir
  • Cinémathèque

Thursday, May 9

Friday, May 10

Saturday, May 11 – Sunday, May 12 – free weekend

Suggestions for things to do in and around Paris:

  • Boat or bus tour of Paris.
  • Visit Versailles or DisneyWorld Paris
  • Wine tour
  • Visit a world-famous historic jazz club

Monday, May 13 – Occupation cinema

  •  Before class: WATCH Les Visiteurs du soir (Carné): READ French Cinema, Chapter 3
  • Film Sites tour
  • Musée Grevin

Tuesday, May 14 – Paris, Center of French Cinema

  • Before class: WATCH 400 Blows (Truffaut); READ French Cinema, Chapter 4
  • Guided tour of the Cité du cinéma

Cannes, May 14-26

Juliana Hotel, Cannes https://www.juliana-cannes.com/en/4-star-boutique-hotel-cannes

Daily activities are announced on site. Every evening we will discuss plans for the next day.

Tuesday, May 14

  • TGV to Cannes
  • Tour of Cannes on “Petit Train”
  • Intro to the film festival

Wednesday, May 15

Thursday, May 16

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Friday, May 17

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Saturday, May 18

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Sunday, May 19

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Monday, May 20

  • Day trip to Monaco

Tuesday, May 21

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Wednesday, May 22

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Thursday, May 23

  • Activities tbd
  • 5-7 wrap up for day, reports, and plans for tomorrow
  • Cinema de la plage 9pm each night

Friday, May 24

Saturday, May 25 

Lyon: May 26-May 31

Sunday, May 26 – TGV to Paris – Project consultations

Monday, May 27 – Outside New Wave Cinema

  • Before class: WATCH New Wave; READ French Cinema, Chapter 5
  • Promotrain
  • Dalí Paris

Tuesday, May 28 – Cinema du look

  • Before class: WATCH: Diva (Beineix); READ French Cinema, Chapter 7
  • Champo screening

Wednesday, May 29

  • Project consultations and group work
  • Musée des Années 30

Thursday, May 30

  • Project presentations
  • Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé visit

Friday, May 31

  • Check out of hotel. Students are free to travel or return to US.