 Thinking about places to go in France during summer, I reminded all these summer films I saw. Summer films - where the story takes place during summer time, where there is beach or swimming pool and love stories - are most of the time quite powerful in French cinema. The heat seems to really raise passions (exacerber les passions) for French characters, especially women. Most of these films remained for Isabelle Adjani, Emmanuelle Béart, Brigitte Bardot and Romy Schneider a significant role in their career. So voilà, our list of 10 must-see French films, if you want to understand French culture and its references. Click on the photo to see the original trailer. I hope you'll enjoy it, please let me some comments in the section below, if you have seen some of them or if you think about one we may have forget! © Universal Pictures  1. Manon des SourcesGenre : Drame Psychologique Lieu : en Provence Réalisateur : Claude Berri Année : 1986 Actrice : Emmanuelle Béart Acteurs : Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil. Histoire : Une histoire d'amour, de regrets, et de passion. L'eau est un des grands thèmes du film. Un film culte. La phrase : "Je t'aime d'amour, Manon" Degré de chaleur : 40°C à l'ombre. 2. La Piscine Genre : Drame Psychologique Lieu : dans le Lubéron Réalisateur : Jacques Demy Année : 1969 Actrice : Romy Schneider, Jane Birkin Acteurs : Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet Histoire : Une histoire d'amour, de meurtre et de piscine. Remake américain : "A Bigger Splash". La phrase : "Il y a des soirs où tout est permis, ou presque". Degré de chaleur : 33°C au bord de la piscine. 3. Les Bronzés Genre : Comédie Lieu : Le Club Med d'Assinie en Côte d'Ivoire Réalisateur : Patrice Leconte Année : 1978 Actrice : Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel... Acteurs : Thierry Lhermitte, Michel Blanc... Histoire : Des histoires de rencontres burlesques au Village du Club Med. ATTENTION FILM CULTE La phrase : "Bienvenue à Galaswinda, daladirladada, y a du soleil et des nanas...". Degré de chaleur : 35°C sous les payottes. 4. Le Mépris Genre : Drame Psychologique Lieu : Capri, à la villa Malaparte. Réalisateur : Jean-Luc Godard Année : 1963 Actrice : Brigitte Bardot Acteurs : Michel Piccoli Histoire : Une histoire d'amour d'Italie et de cinéma. Un film culte. La phrase : "Et mes fesses, tu les aimes mes fesses ?" Degré de chaleur : 31°C en décapotable, le vent dans les cheveux. 5. Les Plages d'Agnès Genre : Documentaire Lieu : partout où il y a des plages, Noirmoutier, Los Angeles et Sète. Réalisateur : Agnès Varda Année : 2008 Histoire : Une histoire de plages et de souvenirs. La phrase : "Si on ouvrait les gens, on trouverait des paysages. Moi, si on m'ouvrait, on trouverait des plages". Degré de chaleur : 18°C sur la plage humide. 6. Un Conte d'été Genre : Comédie romantique Lieu : à Dinard et Saint-Malo Réalisateur : Eric Rohmer Année : 1996 Actrice : Amanda Langlet, Gwenaëlle Simon Acteurs : Melvil Poupaud Histoire : Des histoires d'amour, de plage, et de musique. Un vrai film français avec de l'accordéon. La phrase : "Bonjour, on se connait ?" Degré de chaleur : 21°C, ça reste la Bretagne. 7. L'été meurtrier Genre : Drame Psychologique Lieu : Dans le Vaucluse Réalisateur : Jean Becker Année : 1983 Actrice : Isabelle Adjani Acteurs : Alain Souchon Histoire : Une histoire d'amour, La phrase : "Elle avait un prénom - Eliane- mais tout le monde l'a jamais appelé que "elle" ou "celle-là" ". Degré de chaleur : 34°C avec le chant des cigales. 8. Swimming Pool Genre : Drame Psychologique Lieu : dans le Lubéron Réalisateur : François Ozon Année : 2003 (film tourné en anglais et en français) Actrice : Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier Acteurs : Charles Dance Histoire : Une histoire de littérature et de personnages. La phrase : "How can you be so naive?" Degré de chaleur: "30°C, au bord de la piscine". 9. Plein Soleil Genre : Drame Lieu : à Naples, Ischia, et Rome, en Italie. Réalisateur : René Clément. Année : 1960 Actrice: Acteurs : Alain Delon Histoire : Remake anglais "The Talented Mr Ripley" d'A. Minghella. La phrase : "Ce n'est pas joli de mentir". Degré de chaleur: "29°C sur le pont du bateau". 10. 37°2 le matin Genre : Comédie dramatique
Lieu : à Gruissan, dans l'Aude. Réalisateur : Jean-Jacques Beineix Année : 1986 Actrice: Béatrice Dalle Acteurs : Jean-Hugues Anglade Histoire : Histoire d'amour sensuelle, d'écriture et de voyage en voiture. La phrase : "La chance nous a donné rendez-vous quelque part, il faut pas la rater". Degré de chaleur: 30°C dans le chalet.
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 "I love asian food", "Let's talk about food disorders...", "Food industry" En français, nous avons deux mots pour traduire "food": la nourriture et l'alimentation ("alimentaire" est son adjectif). Pour ces phrases, on dira en français: "j'adore la nourriture asiatique", "Parlons des problèmes d'alimentation..", et "l'industrie agroalimentaire." Pour différencier l'usage de ces deux mots en français, Linguee propose une phrase intéressante : "Une alimentation saine nécessite de la nourriture de bonne qualité." L'alimentation est donc la manière de consommer de la nourriture. C'est un mot abstrait, on ne peut pas toucher de "l'alimentation". La nourriture correspond à l'ensemble des produits que l'on mange, les fruits, les légumes, etc. C'est un mot concret, on peut toucher de la nourriture. C'est plus clair pour vous ? Écrivez dans les commentaires vos propres exemples ou questions, et si vous voulez cuisiner en français, venez au workshop "Talk like a True Parisian- experiences" du 16 au 20 avril à Paris! Voici une infographie pour vous aider à mieux comprendre avec des exemples.  The listening of podcasts allows you to concentrate (especially in public transports) and to develop your understanding (thanks to the different accents) and your knowledge of the language. It's also a possibility of big immersion if you do not live in France, and might help you to sound French. For this selection, I voluntarily chose very diverse podcasts, and all of a high quality of realization. In brief, I love them all. This list is intended for people who have an advanced level, but everybody can take advantage of it ;) I hope you'll enjoy them! Please, tell me in the comments which one is your favorite! Podcast culturel
Podcast documentaire
Podcast musical
Quelques inspirations de début d'année... *** Some inspirations for this beginning of year...  Exhibition of handmade carpets designed by Marie Bastide. Atelier Diurne : 50 rue Jacob, 75006 Paris Aller voir une exposition de tapis...
Aller voir un film à la cinémathèque.
Apprendre à faire quelque chose avec ses mains.
Bienvenue à Marly Gomont (2016) If you like : True touching stories. The story: A young African doctor graduated from French university decides to move with his family in a little village in Picardie in order to have a life in France. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 10 The + : The description of these French people The most used word in the movie : "vindiou" L'ascension (2016) If you like : True amazing stories Story: A young man in love decides to climb the Everest to prove her (and him) that he's capable of something. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 9 The + : The main actor The most used word in the movie : "neuf-trois" Le premier jour du reste de ta vie (2008)  If you like : pop rock Story: A family of five people, through five days more important than the others, five days which will change their life for ever. Gender : Drama Level of Frenchness : 8 The + : The acting and the soundtrack The most used word in the movie : "famille" Hippocrate (2014) If you like : White coats Story: Class struggle at the hospital. Gender : Drama Level of Frenchness : 8 The + : The acting The most used word in the movie : "fait mal" La Fille du patron (2014) If you like : Love stories
Story: She is young and pretty, he's working for her dad. They'll probably fall in love, and it'll get complicated. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : Lola Dueñas, winner of Goya for best Actress (Mar Adentro) + Great dialogs The most used word in the movie : "ergonomie" Note: This list includes the most recent and best French movies on France Netflix. Note 2 : "Léon" from Luc Besson is on Netflix, but the movie was made in English, so it's not on this list. Note 3: Click on the pictures to see the trailers. Note 4: Enjoy. Tchao Pantin (1983) If you like : The 80's and moving characters. The story: Following the murder of his friend, an alcoholic and depressive gas station attendant decides to avenge him, helped by Lola, his young girlfriend. Gender : Comedy / drama Level of Frenchness : 8 The + : The actor Coluche. The most used word in the movie : "mec" Paris (2008) If you like : "Flâner" in Paris, and the movies from Cédric Klapisch. Story: A cabaret dancer is going to die. From his window, he can see all Paris and the lives of others. Gender : Comedy, ensemble film Level of Frenchness : 10 The + : A unique journey in the City of light and the character of "la boulangère". The most used word in the movie : "Paris". La vie d'Adèle (2013) If you like : Powerful movies and love stories. Story: Adèle meets Emma, a young woman with blue hair. Gender : Drama Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : The acting of Adèle Exarchopoulos. The most used word in the movie: "fille" Lila dit ça (2005) If you like : Sexy & sunny films in south of France Story: Chimo, a young man meets Lila, in Marseille. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : the sun and Vahina Gioccante. The most used word in the movie : "Voir" Nikita (1990) If you like : Luc Besson movies Story: A young woman lives her new life as special agent. Gender : Thriller Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : Film culte The most used word in the movie : "Pourquoi" Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas (2006) If you like : Stories of disappearance. Story: Her twin brother disappears. Lili goes out searching for him. Gender : Drama Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : Moving The most used word in the movie : "où" Camille redouble (2012) If you like : "Groundhog Day". Story: Camille, 40, wakes up after a blackout, in the 80's, and tries to change the course of her life. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : Funny The most used word in the movie : "embrasser" 99 Francs (2007) If you like : Jean Dujardin, cynism, excess Story: Talented advertising executive, Octave is in charge with his working colleague Charlie to finalize the advertising campaign of a new yoghurt. Gender : Comedy Level of Frenchness : 7 The + : Adapted from the book "99 Francs" by Frédéric Beigbeder. The most used word in the movie : "cocaïne" Le premier jour du reste de ta vie (2008) If you like : pop rock Story: A family of five people, through five days more important than the others, five days which will change their life for ever. Gender : Drama Level of Frenchness : 8 The + : The acting and the soundtrack The most used word in the movie : "famille" Les garçons et Guillaume, à table ! (2013) / |
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I remember being 7, and staring at my teacher explaining the groups verbs in French, with "des yeux ronds". And as a kid I felt as astonished as main of French students, while discovering this -absurd- classification with the "3 groups". THE OLD DUSTY WAY So, basically in this old classification the first group is the most friendly : All -er verbs, easy. But as soon as we see the 2nd one, we get confused, because it deals with -ir verbs but not all... |
And the 3rd one is a complete garbage with every verbs that didn't fit in the other ones. So.... that sounds like a bad start if you were taught this way.
THE REVOLUTION
When I started teaching French as a second language, I discovered the new way some brilliant minds had invented. A new classification. A revolution.
THE REVOLUTION
When I started teaching French as a second language, I discovered the new way some brilliant minds had invented. A new classification. A revolution.
The concept : here we talk about "BASE" which can be translated as "ROOT" for English speakers. The BASE is the part of the verb that doesn't change and to which we'd add the different endings.
Ex : parler > parl- is the BASE, because -er is the infinitive ending.
VERBS WITH ONE BASE
PARLER (to talk, speak) > PARL / ER (the green letters mean they are mute)
je PARL -e
tu PARL -es
Il PARL -e
Ils PARL -ent
Nous PARL -ons
Vous PARL -ez
Also : OFFRIR, CUEILLIR, COUVRIR, SOUFFRIR
J' OUVR -e
Tu OUVR -es
Il OUVR-e
Ils OUVR-ent
Nous OUVR-ons
Vous OUVR-ez
COURIR, CONCLURE (INCLURE/EXCLURE), RIRE/SOURIRE
For the these ones, observe the change of endings
RiRE > Ri/RE
Je Ri-s
Tu Ri-s
Il Ri-t
Ils Ri-ent
Nous Ri-ons
Vous Ri-ez
In the next article, we'll discover the rest of the verbs..
***
This lesson comes from La Grammaire des Premiers Temps (PUG) by two brilliant French professors Dominique Abry and Marie-Laure Chalaron, from the university of Grenoble.
Ex : parler > parl- is the BASE, because -er is the infinitive ending.
VERBS WITH ONE BASE
- Main part of -ER verbs (= 90% of French verbs)
PARLER (to talk, speak) > PARL / ER (the green letters mean they are mute)
je PARL -e
tu PARL -es
Il PARL -e
Ils PARL -ent
Nous PARL -ons
Vous PARL -ez
- Some other verbs
Also : OFFRIR, CUEILLIR, COUVRIR, SOUFFRIR
J' OUVR -e
Tu OUVR -es
Il OUVR-e
Ils OUVR-ent
Nous OUVR-ons
Vous OUVR-ez
COURIR, CONCLURE (INCLURE/EXCLURE), RIRE/SOURIRE
For the these ones, observe the change of endings
RiRE > Ri/RE
Je Ri-s
Tu Ri-s
Il Ri-t
Ils Ri-ent
Nous Ri-ons
Vous Ri-ez
In the next article, we'll discover the rest of the verbs..
***
This lesson comes from La Grammaire des Premiers Temps (PUG) by two brilliant French professors Dominique Abry and Marie-Laure Chalaron, from the university of Grenoble.
Some exercises to practice
 À bicyclette avec les fringues de Camille de Dampierre  Dormir au frais |  S'émerveiller dans l'atelier de la peintre Inès Longevial  Aller faire un tour à la boutique Klin d'oeil |
Se rafraîchir dans l'eau d'une fontaine parisienne.
| Écouter de la musique avec Polo & Pan. |  Cueillir des fruits. |
Collectionner les succulentes empotées de Lucile
 Papoter en terrasse |  Faire sa Catherine. |
 Aller voir une expo : David Hockney à Beaubourg. |  Aller voir un film. |
Se la couler douce.
Préparer les vacances...
Videos are, probably, the best media to learn a language.
You can hear and see people talking, in a clear context of communication, and observing their body language, the expressions on their face even when they aren't speaking. It might be slightly different from the way you use your body in your own language. All these elements are part of the communication.
In addition, the content of a video can be funny, useful, moving, so it works with your emotions and this is very important, because the experience of watching becomes meaningful to you, and you'll remember it.
Usually we're not conscient about all that, we just watch. But our brain swallows it all.
There is so many channels that you can get lost looking for some free French tips.
So here is a very eclectic list of some French channels we recommend, because they're authentic, interesting, useful and you can have reliable French subtitles.
A little - but very important - advice : watch the channels which theme/subject appeals you.
1. History with les Revues du Monde...
The idea : Charlie Danger, History and Archeology lover, always dreamed to be Indiana Jones. She deals with very original subjects in her amazing videos.
Why : Original topics, specific vocabulary, perfect subtitles.
Le "plus" : General knowledge and excellent conversations starters
The idea : Charlie Danger, History and Archeology lover, always dreamed to be Indiana Jones. She deals with very original subjects in her amazing videos.
Why : Original topics, specific vocabulary, perfect subtitles.
Le "plus" : General knowledge and excellent conversations starters
...and with Confessions d'Histoire
The idea : The History told by the persons who lived it.
Why : Funny, understandable, useful for your art of conversation and there is a lot of idiomatic expressions and some interesting slang.
Le "plus" : Excellent subtitles.
2. Cinema stories with Blow-up from Arte
The idea : Talking about films, actors, directors, music composers, etc.
Why : Cinema is an important part of French culture, so you'd learn some stuff
Le plus : Bad subtitles but very clear voice off.
3. DIY in French with Wear Lemonade
The idea : Tutorials about sewing, painting, cutting, doing beautiful projects.
Why : Because it's very rewarding to make nice stuff with your hands.
Le plus : Multiplication of skills
4. Laugh with Cyprien...
The idea : Making funny videos, he's one of the most famous French guy on Youtube.
Why : Because he's good. And he ar-ti-cu-lates well. You can check also Norman ;)
Le plus : Excellent subtitles.
... and with Golden Moustache
The idea : Funny videos
Why : Because it's really good and full of French references
Le plus : French humor (of course there is one !) + excellent subtitles
5. Watch short films with Les Parasites
The idea : Group of young actors, writers and directors making short movies.
Why : Unique stories, excellent actors, good direction.
Le "plus": Excellent subtitles.
6. Practice Yoga with Sandra Insoha
The idea : Every Tuesdays, Sandra posts a new video for a yoga session.
Why : Dynamic, restorative yoga for all levels. (Because it's good for your body and soul!)
Le "plus" : Subtitles don't work, so you can focus on the practice and the landscape ;)
What about you chéri ? Do you watch French Youtube channels? Any favourite one ?
Thanks for joining the conversation in the comment section below and sharing your experience and point of view in English or French! Merci :)
Credit photo : Unsplash
Thanks for joining the conversation in the comment section below and sharing your experience and point of view in English or French! Merci :)
Credit photo : Unsplash
Marine L.
Language lover, French teacher and eternal student.
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