Regardless of the exact words we use to express our recognition of it, today remains an important occasion here in in France. The 14th July marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille back in 1789, when French revolutionaries overwhelmed the Parisian fortress, which had historically been used as a state prison. Although the Bastille somewhat infamously housed only a handful of prisoners at the time of its takeover, it still held great symbolic importance. From a historical perspective, the storming of the Bastille is widely recognised as a huge turning point for the French revolution.
Fittingly, today the 14th July is a bank holiday and the official national day of France, celebrated with military parades, aerobatic flyovers, and fireworks. However, if you're not able to celebrate Bastille Day with such fanfare (or perhaps, like me, you'd rather stay home to avoid the crowds), there are other ways mark the occasion. One such way to celebrate is by enjoying the plethora of art and media which French creators have brought into the world, including.... films!
So, to help you and I celebrate Bastille Day from the comfort of our own homes, I have compiled a list of 5 movies from a variety of periods, directors, and genres, but all with one thing in common: they are all 100% French.
1. Amélie (2001)
(Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain)
What's it about? Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Audrey Tautou, Amélie follows a charmingly unconventional but lonely Parisian woman who tries to secretly better the lives of the people around her.
Why should you watch it? Amélie is possibly one of the most well-known, critically-acclaimed, and iconic French films outside of France, and for good reason. It plays out like a modern fairy tale, with Paris as its whimsical backdrop. Audrey Tautou gives an understated yet endearing performance as the titular character, while the heartfelt story is underscored with a beautiful soundtrack by composer Yann Tiersen.
Where can you find it? It is available to rent on Amazon or Google Play.
2. Bande à part (1964)
What's it about? In this classic French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, three young people plan to stage a robbery - but things don't quite go to plan.
Why should you watch it? If nothing else, Bande à part is worth watching purely for the famous "Madison" dance, which has inspired dozens of copycat scenes in later films. It also features Anna Karina in one of her famous '60s roles, and she is as magnetic a presence onscreen here as ever. Even when they are making morally dubious decisions or stretching the limits of conventional behaviour (like running through the Louvre to beat a world record), there's something hypnotic about watching Karina and her costars go about their ill-conceived mission.
Where can you find it? It is available to stream on BFI Player or Amazon Prime with a subscription (or a free trial).
3. Diplomacy (2014)
(Diplomatie)
What's it about? Set during the Nazi occupation of Paris during World War II, this historical drama focuses on the relationship between two officials on opposing sides of the conflict who must reach a diplomatic agreement to protect both the city and themselves from German forces.
Why should you watch it? Being based on a play by French writer Cyril Gely, Diplomacy takes a global conflict and puts it on a personal scale, with the bulk of the drama confined within the office where the two main characters have their high-stakes debate. It could have been a recipe for boredom, but the performances of André Dussollier and Niels Arestrup combine with a smart and touching script to make this movie a fascinating watch.
Where can you find it? It is available to rent on Google Play, although potentially without English subtitles.
4. Nocturama (2016)
What's it about? In this unsettling thriller, a group of young people stage a series of terrorist attacks in various locations around Paris, before hiding out in an empty department store overnight.
Why should you watch it? If the previous films on this list sounded a bit too optimistic for you, Nocturama could be the darker, more cynical antidote you're looking for. It makes for a tense but intriguing watch, and it provides a slightly less rose-tinted look at Paris than you might be used to seeing. The scenes at the start of the film, when numerous characters travel around the city on the metro, are among the most realistic depictions of Paris I've seen on screen.
Where can you find it? It is available to stream on Netflix.
5. I Am Not An Easy Man (2018)
(Je ne suis pas un homme facile)
What's it about? Based on the short film Majorité Opprimée (by the same director, Éléonore Pourriat), this romantic comedy follows a male chauvinist who hits his head and wakes up in an alternate reality where gender roles are reversed.
Why should you watch it? Like Nocturama, I Am Not an Easy Man shines a light on one of the more negative but less talked about aspects of modern French society: sexism. While one might expect a serious tone from a film which tackles issues ranging from beauty double standards to workplace sexual harassment, this movie manages to maintain a sense of levity throughout. Whether you are looking for a romantic comedy or a wry takedown of French patriarchy, this might be the film for you.
Where can you find it? It is available to stream on Netflix.
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If you are reading this on Bastille Day, how are you marking the occasion? Do you think watching one of the films above is a good way to celebrate, or do you have a better recommendation? I'd love to know what you think, so please feel free to let me know your thoughts either in a comment or by messaging me directly. Until then, bonne fête nationale!
Nicely put.
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