Big leap for René Féret : natural depiction of French countryside ! ! ! !

La Communion Solennelle (1977) directed by René Féret

Three year after the critical success of his first film "L'histoire de Paul",René Féret took a big leap with his second film "La communion solennelle" made in 1977.It was a vast panorama for him as he moved from the cloistered confines of a mental house to open air fun and frolic of French countryside.It was also his first encounter with a multitude of talented actors,most of whom were discovered due to this film.If La communion solemnelle is to be remembered,it is for featuring a fortuitous display of a whole gamut of human emotions.It can be claimed that watching the film's protagonists making merry,enjoy and fight with each other,we also feel as if we too have become an integral part of their sentiments.If there is a parallel which can be drawn to compare this film,it will surely concern equating it with French classic film "Rules of the Game" directed by Jean Renoir.This is because like Renoir's classic,this film too has its own inimitable share of eccentricities of its characters.If you are aware of greatness of French culture,you must watch this film as it has traces of Zola,Maupassant and Claude Renoir.

Absolute gem :A tale of deception set in the ancient times.

Le Retour de Martin Guerre (1982) directed by Daniel Vigne

Daniel Vigne described his film as a modern story that took place in 16th century.Le Retour de Martin Guerre is a wonderful historic romance that pertinently comments on an individual's role in society.The film is a beautiful illustration of 16th century pastoral life. Pancette had the nerve to assume Martin's identity as Bertrande constantly assisted him in deceit.His greed was responsible for his ruin as he claimed wealth which never belonged to him.A vast majority of viewers will not be in a position to form an opinion about Bertrande as she did not wish to spend her life with an impotent village resident.The entire storyline hinges heavily on Gerard Depardieu's captivating performance.His imposing aura makes us readily accept him as the real Martin Guerre even though,in reality,he is Martin's lookalike Pancette.Le Retour de Martin Guerre will fascinate not only the admirers of suspense genre but also those spectators who are attracted to drama.Daniel Vigne has effectively crafted a thought-provoking oeuvre which competently wrestles with major issues like identity and deception.

A Film about joys of cinema.

La Nuit américaine (1973) directed by François Truffaut

La Nuit Americaine is an exuberant celebration of the joy of filmmaking, The title refers to the effect of night in a day.Truffaut has resourcefuly tackled the most haunted question "Is Cinema superior to life".The film is an engaging drama about the people involved in making a film. Truffaut has declared on numerous occasions that real incidents experienced by him were the material for this film.La Nuit Americaine is a meaningful film about the hardships one must endure while making a film.Making a film about a film is a complicated task but Truffaut succeeded with ease in creating an oeuvre of exceptional beauty.Cinema is shown as a big family in which Truffaut as film director Ferrand has to take care of everything including the bad mood of his players.La Nuit Americaine is an honest film which gives you an idea about the fact that personal problems don't matter,if you are taking part in a film.It is the cinema which rules.Truffaut wished that the public would love to watch this film as much as he enjoyed making it.La Nuit Americaine,which Truffaut dedicated to Lilian and Dorothy Gish,was one of the last films to have been shot at the famous Victorine studios

This film by Godard is not at all a film of our times.

Sauve qui peut (la vie) (1980) directed by Jean Luc Godard

The English title of this film "Sauve qui peut la vie" made by Jean Luc Godard is "Everyman for himself".This is exactly what happens in this film which is only for people having unusual cinematographic tastes.All the three main characters are in their own world without bothering about what the other persons are doing.There are a lot of similarities between the film maker Jean Luc Godard and the film director's role played nicely by French singer,actor Jacques Dutronc. It appears as if Godard had deliberately chosen Dutronc for that role keeping in mind their own erratic behavioral patterns. Nathalie Baye is acceptable in her role as the hapless girl friend of this eccentric director.The most challenging and in some sense controversial part has been played by famous French actress Isabelle Huppert as an innocent prostitute who silently bears all the ill treatment meted to her by her clients.This is a good psychological film directed by Godard about the emotional stagnation of some characters who are unable to come out of their mental framework.