Contemporary French Cinema in the 21st Century

Module description

This module explores the cultural economy, aesthetic codes and ideological values in contemporary French cinema since 2000. Looking equally at popular genres and auteur cinema, the module aims to give an understanding of major trends in contemporary French film and its relationship to French society, under three broad headings:• Heritage, comedy and stardom (how mainstream popular genres and star personas address the nation’s relationship to its past and to contemporary societal change).• Politics and identity (auteur cinema’s exploration of ethnic, class, gender and sexual identity).• Testing the limits (a reflection on what ‘French cinema’ is, in terms of linguistic, generic and national hybridity, and transgression in the so-called ‘extreme’ cinema).

Indicative titles: The Artist, Huit femmes, Intouchables, Bon voyage, La Môme, Les Glaneurs et la glaneuse, Caché, Potiche, Les Chansons d’amour, Entre les murs, A ma soeur!, L’Inconnu du lac, Un prophète, La Vie d’Adèle, Bande de filles, Divines, Elle, 120 battements par minute.

Assessment details

One essay of 5,000 words

Educational aims & objectives

This module aims to give an understanding of major trends in contemporary French cinema (since 2000) and its relation to French society, under three broad headings (Heritage, comedy and stardom; Politics and identity; Testing the limits).

Learning outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge of broad trends within the contemporary French film industry, of a significant and representative range of film genres and aesthetics, and of the social and cultural anchorage of that cinema within contemporary French society.

Teaching pattern

One weekly 2-hour seminar

One weekly screening

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.