Learn about French cinema
Toolkit : Navigating The World Of Cinema
Learn about French cinema
Going to the cinema in France is a must have experience. Enjoy the cultural experience by immersing yourself in the language, engaging with local movie goers, and perhaps finding a new favourite film. This guide will help you navigate all of the ins and outs of French cinemas, from purchasing the right ticket to understanding the local customs and lingo.
Getting Started: Purchasing Tickets
Your experience starts with understanding the ticketing system. Here’s how to make your experience smooth and enjoyable:
Buying Tickets
You can purchase tickets at the box office, online, or at automated kiosks in larger cinemas. Major chains like Pathé Gaumont and UGC offer online booking through their websites or apps, making it convenient to secure your ‘séance’ in advance.
Types of Screenings
- VO (Version Originale): These screenings show films in their original language with French subtitles. Perfect for expats and tourists!
- VF (Version Française): These are dubbed in French. Great for practising your French listening skills.
- VOSTFR (Version Originale Sous-Titrée en Français): Original language with French subtitles. Ideal for learning new vocabulary and improving language comprehension.
Discounts and Memberships
French cinemas often offer discounts for students, seniors, and children. Many also have loyalty cards or memberships like the UGC Illimité or Pathé Gaumont Le Pass, which provide unlimited access to films for a monthly fee. The UGC also has a weekend only membership for a reduced price…how cool!
Essential Phrases for the Cinema
Knowing a few key phrases can make your cinema experience smoother. Here are some that will come in handy:
A polite way to request your ticket at the box office would be:
- Je voudrais une place pour [nom du film], s’il vous plaît.
- I would like a ticket for [movie name], please.
Make sure you are buying a ticket for the screening you prefer with the question:
- C’est en version originale ou version française ?
- Is it in the original version or French version?
Want to be on time for the movie? You should know:
- À quelle heure commence la séance ?
- What time does the screening start?
For some cinemas you cannot book seats in advance, so be sure to double check…
- Est-ce qu’il reste des places ?
- Are there any seats left?
And lastly, the most important phrase for those mid-movie breaks:
- Où sont les toilettes ?
- Where are the restrooms?
Tips on French cinema
If you are looking to fully embrace the ciné-culture, take a look at these little tips:
Join a Ciné-Club
These regular meetups with other film enthusiasts are a great way to discuss favourite films, learn more about the context of movies and the techniques employed to film them. It is also a chance to watch non-mainstream productions! If, just like the French, you consider yourself such an enthusiast, you can now brand yourself a ‘cinéphile’. This word refers to film lovers! Did you know that France has one of the highest number of cinemas per capita in the world?
Attend Film Festivals
Keep an eye out for local film festivals and special screenings for a chance to engage in Q&A sessions with directors and actors!
Visit Iconic Cinemas
Paris is home to several historic and iconic cinemas, such as Le Grand Rex, La Cinémathèque Française, and Le Champo. If your go-to is usually a UGC, why not try a different venue; perhaps combine your visit with a walk around its relevant arrondissement and explore the new turf.
Arrive on Time
A key change in the cinema experience in France is that the pre-screening section has fewer trailers than in other countries which means that the film starts closer to the time advertised on your ticket! In some cinemas, you also do not choose a seat with your ticket, instead, it is a ‘first come first served’ process as you go and sit wherever you like. Arrive on time, not only to get a good seat, but to ensure you don’t miss any part of the movie!
The Cultural Importance of Cinema in France
Cinema in France forms part of the country’s cultural heritage. It is considered the ‘7th art’, making it more than just a form of entertainment, but also a lifestyle! The very term of the ‘septième art’ was coined by the film theorist Ricciotto Canudo (a 20th century film theorist and critic of cinematography). It was an elevation of cinema to the same level as that of the other classical arts of the time: architecture, sculpture, painting, music, literature, and the performing arts (including dance).
The Lumière Brothers
Louis and Auguste Lumière were the foregrounders of cinema, and it is why France is dubbed as the birthplace of it. They were inspired by the works of Edison and Dickson, namely their invention of the kinetophone. In turn, the brother duo created a cinématographe – a camera, projector and printer set up. It was then in 1895 that they had their first private screening of their film Sortie d’usine, soon after opening up to the public by the end of that same year. This sparked their international success as six months later, they were showing their invention in the States. Their contribution to this field was essential in the spread of cinema on a global scale.
State Support
The Aide aux cinémas du monde (ACM) offers aid through subsidies and grants to support the film industry. Through grants and subsidies it is able to help with the creation of international feature films. Its aim is to promote cultural diversity within the world of cinema and production by encouraging coproductions between French and international producers. It is important to have this art in constant evolution, not only technically, but also creatively.
French movie Recommendations from the Babylangues office:
Trois Couleurs by Krzysztof Kieslowski (Trilogie: Bleu (1993), Blanc (1994), Rouge (1994)); starring Juliette Binoche.
- Dive into this movie trilogy, titled by the order of the colours of the French flag, to explore the three core values of ‘liberté, égalité, et fraternité’. Whilst Bleu is a battle between grief and liberating oneself from the past, Blanc follows a man on a path of vengeance in the name of enacting equality as an after effect of his divorce. Rouge, on the other hand, shows the importance of interconnectedness and bonds amongst people.
Les Intouchables (2011) by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano; starring Omar Sy and François Cluzet.
- If you love to watch a film that will move you, this is the perfect choice. It is a story of friendship and change, as Driss (a young man from the Parisian outskirts) becomes a carer for a rich quadriplegic. The audience is a witness to the impact that people have on each other’s lives, a snowball effect of how people decide to interact with others and the value they see in themselves. Watch the two men come to care for one another and want to improve the conditions of their lives.
Les Choristes (2004) by Christophe Barratier; starring Kad Merad and Jean-Baptiste Maunier.
- A musical comedy that is a staple movie if you have ever been taught French at school. This lighthearted watch is a great way to find some tunes to add to your French music playlist… you’ll be sure to find yourself singing along to all the melodies! The movie follows the efforts of a music teacher to turn around the poor discipline at a boarding school for troubled boys. Check it out to find out whether his choir tactics take effect!
Le Comte de Monte Cristo (2024) by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte; starring Pierre Niney; based on the book by Alexandre Dumas.
- Visit the cinema this August to watch this classic! Though it is a staggering three hours long, the time passes quickly. A tale about love and revenge, the audience roots for a betrayed Edmond Dantès to right the injustice his jealous peers enacted upon him. Get your popcorn ready and find your nearest cinema!
Navigating the cinema scene in France is an enriching experience that goes beyond just watching movies. It’s about engaging with the culture, practising the language, and enjoying the art of cinema in a country that holds a special place in film history. Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a passionate cinéphile, knowing these tips, phrases, and fun facts will help you make the most of your cinematic adventures in France. Reach out to us and tell us about your recent experience at the movies!
Learn about French cinema
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