Notes culturelles: Le cinéma en France



Going to the movies is by far the favorite leisure activity of young French people. Cinema is considered a serious art form in France, where it is referred to as le septième art (the seventh art). Seeing a film generally provokes a lengthy and lively discussion among French movie-goers, who revel in analyzing plot, acting, and direction. France has a large public of serious movie-goers (les cinéphiles). Because tickets to newly released movies (les films en exclusivité) are relatively expensive, many students go to local theaters (les cinémas de quartier) or ciné-clubs that specialize in old movies.

The film industry in France is considered so important to the promotion of French culture that it receives state subsidies, through a division of the Ministère de la culture et de la communication called the Centre national de la cinématographie.

When you look up a film listing in the paper, the time given will include approximately 15 minutes of pre-movie commercials. Movie theaters in France have ushers, who will show you to your seat; a pourboire (tip) is appreciated, although it is not required. Ushers will also come through the theater with refreshments. The biggest film event of the year is the Festival de Cannes, which takes place in May. At this festival, the best films produced in the world compete for the top award, known as the Palme d'or (Golden Palm).

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What differences do you see between the French and the American movie industries? Do you think that Americans would show up for a movie at the time listed, to sit through 15 minutes of commercials?