I really would like to know, how is French cinema, television, and the celebrities different from American?

Question

cinema, televison, and celebrities right now? Would be great if anyone from France, or living, or studying theater in France could answer. I ask that because I've always been interested in France, and love the world of entertainment. But in America, I think everything currently sucks; the movies, T.V., anyone can become famous e.t.c. e.t.c. The "comedies" coming out are not funny, just disgusting. There seems to be no good writers in HWood nowadays. All we have on TV is just reality, no real shows. And all you have to do now is basically show your crotch, or scream "Leave Britney alone!" (lol) and you become famous. So I want to know if France/Europe is different right now in the entertainment world, and if so how? Is there still quality left over there? Thank you.

Answer 1

Somewhat different, yes. Obviously French movies focus much less on special effects, and there's less rapid jumping from frame to frame.There's more emphasis on dialogue, satire, and situational comedy. I don't like modern American stuff much either :), so you should try French and European in general.

It's kind of a stereotype but this time it's true- French films are generally artsy, particularly the newer ones. They have very dramatic shifts in color depending on the tone, and there's often more work with camera angles than here. It's a little in the style of the newer Pride and Prejudice. Check out Caro's works, which are very famous- particularly Amelie, also Delicatessen and A Very Long Engagement (Un long dimanche de Fiançailles). The colors go from very drab and eerie on dark scenes to bright, beautiful and almost surreal/dreamlike on happier scenes. These three films are great, and if you like them you definitely have to see Pan's Labyrinth as well (it's Spanish but it's too good to pass up).

Some French movies, particularly older ones, move slowly, so it's one reason not everyone likes them. On the bright side, they pay great attention to detail, dialogue, and character development. (It's not your hyper-packed Hollywood action and romance movies). Two older films that are really great are Jean de Florette and its (necessary) sequel Manon des Sources or Manon of the Spring, from the 1980's. They're beautiful and heart-wrenching. Also, anything with Catherine Denueve will probably be good, she's very famous. I liked Indochine a lot.

In another vein, there's a recent group of movies from Europe that are young adult, mostly situational based with a lot of international jokes, and usually hilarious. Try the Spanish Apartment (Auberge Espagnole), it's lighthearted and has one of the funniest endings I've ever seen in a movie.  Kilómetro Zero is a Spanish movie that isn't quite as good, but it's the same general feel.

As for celebirites, to be honest, American celebrities are still the most popular, esp. if you're talking about music (most European music celebrities are American copycats, the only exceptions I know of are European gothic metal bands, they're pretty popular). And most of the movies they show over there (maybe half) are still American, so trust me, they know about Brangelina as well as we do. But French actors/actresses are still quite famous and respected there, you'll see them on magazine covers. Sadly French TV is awful now, they just take American reality and game shows and make them worse- I lived in Belgium for three months and just about lost it. Stick to films, there at least they're original :)

Good luck!

Answer 2

You know......I have no idea.

In would really like to know though.