Artistic, intellectual, and appreciably avant-garde, the French film industry has, perhaps more than any other national cinema, been perennially at the centre of international filmmaking. With its vigorous business and wide-ranging film culture, France has also been home historically to some of the most influential filmmakers and movements - and, indeed, the very first motion picture was screened in Paris in 1895.

A Companion to Contemporary French Cinema presents a comprehensive collection of original essays addressing all aspects of French cinema from 1990 to the present day. Features original contributions from top film scholars relating to all aspects of contemporary French cinema.

This invaluable resource by one of the world's leading experts in French cinema presents an overview of French cinema in the 20th century and its place and function in French society. Each filmography includes 101 films listed chronologically (Volume 1: 1929-1939 and Volume 2: 1940-1958) and provides accessible points of entry into the world of 20th-century French cinema. All entries contain a list of cast members and characters, production details, an overview of the film's cultural and historical significance, and a critical summary of the film's plot and narrative structure.

Presentation by French film expert Sadoul of 1300 films which all hold a significant place and scope in the history of cinematographic creation. For each film there is a summary of the screenplay, a critical assessment, quotes from the author or performers...

Taking a text-led approach, with the emphasis on more recent popular films, Studying French Cinema is directed at non-specialists such as students of French, Film Studies, and the general reader with an interest in post-war French cinema. Each of the chapters focuses on one or more key films from the ground-breaking films of the nouvelle vague to contemporary documentary.

This introductory text analyzes 25 years of popular French film including recent developments in all genres. Reflecting French cinema's diversity since the new Wave, chapters include the Heritage film; thrillers; war movies; Cinema-du-Look; representations of sexuality; women film-makers; and others. Each chapter introduces the public reception and critical debates surrounding a given genre, interwoven with detailed accounts of individual films from "Les Valseuses" to "Les Visiteurs" and "Delicatessen".