French cinema Archives

Entertaining French Film

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Released as ‘French Twist’, (2005), is a cult comedy written and directed by Josaine Balasko, who also stars alongside Victoria Abril and Alain Chabat. In French with subtitles.
Gazon MauditIn this very modern ménage à trois, Laurent (Chabat) is a serial philanderer who assumes his dutiful wife Loli (Abril) is blissfully ignorant of his cheating. However, when a broken-down campervan brings stranger Marijo (Balasko) into their lives, Loli starts a less conventional extramarital romance of her own.

It’s a saucy, daring comedy in which sex becomes an ever-shifting game of musical chairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd_88LUuHGU

Upset the American Bible Belt

This film upset the American Bible Belt because of the suggestion that a wife could leave her husband, even a complete womanising jerk, for a woman. Not even one eyebrow was even slightly raised in disgust in Europe.

See the film at the Cinema Museum

If in London, on Sunday afternoon, May 31st, see the film at the remarkable Cinema Museum, near the Elephant and Castle. Tickets.
Not only do you get the film, but a selection of clips from other French comedy films in very relaxed surroundings. You can a drink or snack – including quiche and pizza. Really lovely venue.

The building used to be the Master’s House of the Lambeth Poor House, where Charlie Chaplin’s spent some time before he made his way to America.

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One of the funniest films ever made. The story is of a gay couple, Renato, (played by Ugo Tognazzi) and Albin, (Michel Serrault), who runs the Riveria’s most outrageous nightclub, in which Serrault is the leading drag act.
There is a complication as Renato’s son, Laurent, the result of his only straight one night stand, is bringing home his fiance and her very straight, religious parents, with their own dark secret.

Renato and Albin attempt the impossible to try and hide their decadent lifestyle to impress the parents and the whole situation descends into a complete French farce – which just gets more and more complicated and funnier and funnier.

Why the French version is so much better than the American ‘The Gold Cage’ is the acting. The couple have genuine affection for each other and work together to try and help Lauren achieve happiness.

One of my favourite scenes where Renato tries to teach Albin to behave in a manly manner.

Good discussion of the film.

French Twist (GAZON MAUDIT)

Entertaining French Film

Upset the American Bible Belt

See the film at the Cinema Museum

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (1979) French film