French musical films are romantic, subtle yet innovative. They have created a great space industry but yet different. Some films represent theater, some portray strong feminism and some use music for expressing romanticism. Here are some of the great achievements of renowned directors in making such notable musicals with sad, bittersweet and happy stories, along with dance and romantic music.
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)
The young girls of Rochefort is a romantic French musical that was released on 1967. It is a story about two girls who are twins, named as Delphine and Solange. They always dream of working on stage shows. They are discovered by a couple connected with a carnival and eventually get love in this process. The director of this film is Jaques Demy and the pivotal roles played by Delphine and Solange are Catherine Denueve and Francoise Dorlèac.
Love Songs (2007)
Love Songs was released on the year 2007. It is a passionate yet tragic French musical, directed by Christophe Honore. Julie and Ismael speak their heart out in this creative film by singing their feelings in Paris. They call for Alice into their romantic relationship as well as in their intimate life. The twist in this romantic musical comes when death enters uninvited into their lives, leaving their love alive amongst mourning and loss. The character played by Julie, Ismael and Alice are Ludivine Sagnier, Louis Garrel and Clotilde Hesme respectively.
Le Million (1931)
Le Million is a mixture of dance parade of see bourgeois and an entire Greek chorus. The director of This comedial French musical is René Clair. Le Million is based in Claire’s play, starring Marcel Guillemand and Georges Berr. This film is extremely humorous by the chase of a jacket that has a lottery ticket hopping from one person to another.
Not on the Lips (2003)
Not on the lips is based on the operetta “Pas sur la bouche”. This adaptation was written by Maurice Yvain and André Barde. This French romantic film was made by Alain Resnais. The plot of this film is a woman married to a businessman from Paris is keeping her first marriage with an American a secret.
French Cancan (1955)
French Cancan was released in the year 1955. This musical film is full of colours and was directed by Jean Renoir. It stars Francoise Arnoul and Jean Gabin. The owner of a Paris night club, Henri Danglard has gained a lot of popularity by the belly dance of Lola. While passing by an unstylish hall Montmartre, Henri found out some people doing Cancan. Nini, a charming laundry girl was teaching them Cancan. As he saw that his mind struck an idea of opening a new investment that can be risky but yields a lot of profit. As Lola left the night club he was bound to start a new night club. He learned Cancan from Nini and opened a night club named, Moulin Rouge. The success was extremely ominous by the Cancan dance performance of many beautiful girls.
Latcho Drom (1993)
Latcho Drom is also a great French musical which was directed by Tony Gatlif. This film is a kind of documentary on the Romani people and their journey from India to Spain. This film is full of music and was screened at the Cannes film festival in 1993. The film revolves showcasing the Romani community from western region of India to Egypt then Turkey then Romania then Hungary then Slovakia then France and ends in Spain.
8 Women (2002)
8 women is a satirical, epicene French musical film which was released on the year 2002. Francois Ozon had written and directed this musical, where eight women celebrate Christmas in a cottage and find that their patriarch has been stabbed to death. Here all the eight women are found suspicious, having their own secrets and cause. This film is based on Robert Thomas’s “Huit femmes”.
The Lovers of Teruel (1962)
The lovers of Teruel is a 1962 French musical film, that had been selected in the Cannes Film festival. It was directed by Raymond Rouleau. This film is actually the Spanish version of Romeo Juliet, played by Diego and Isabel at the year 1217. This romantic musical is a heart touching story of two lovers who grew together and we’re inseparable. But destiny turned down their fate to live together. Diego’s family faced in straightened circumstances and so Isabel could not marry him. However later when Diego found out that Isabel married someone else then he chose to die in front of her but wished for a last kiss. But Isabel, bound with morals, did not fulfill Diego’s last wish. Diego breathed his last in her feet and she got shakened. In the end Isabel was seen wearing a wedding gown in Diego’s funeral and just she kissed him, she collapsed in front of the love of her life.
A Woman is a Woman (1961)
A woman is a woman is a whimsical and carefree French musical which wa released in 1961. The plot of this French musical is about Angela, a dancer by trade and Emilè, her boyfriend. They share an exotic relationship, but when Angela demands to have a baby, emilé refuses. On the other hand Alfred, Emilé’s friend has also fallen for Angela. Due to Emilé’s obstinate nature of not having a child, Angela sleeps with Alfred for getting pregnant and proves that she is a woman. In the end Emilé and Angela reunite as he gets the opportunity to become a father.This romantic comedy film was made and written by Jean Luc-Godard.
The Suicide Shop (2012)
The Suicide shop is a musical film which is about Mishima who has a suicide shop located in a gloomy city. It deals with selling of suicide tools instead of umbrellas. This film is a kind of zoo or rather a collection of sulky characters. This dark comedy film was released in 2012. The city is being controlled by an affirmative and a chirpy mayor, who wishes to clean up the suicide shop. Meanwhile Mishima’s wife Lucrèce gives birth to a son who is also very sulky, sad and depressed. But Mishima’s son, Alan plans to save the suicide shop by befriending with the mayor’s daughter. The conclusion is that both of them make a product which inspires the people to live and hence Mishima’s plan to end his life gets cancelled.
