You live in the capital but have you never seen the iconic films set in Paris? Nothing is going well anymore. To make up for these shortcomings, we have drawn up a list of 15 films which are, according to the editor, the real essentials. Settle in on your couch and enjoy. Good movie!
Ratatouille (2007)
It's definitely the cutest and the most essential films about Paris and even more so, animated films. Rémy, a rat who has a real talent for cooking and dreams of chef. One evening, he finds himself face to face with Linguini, a young clerk who does not have great talents for gastronomy and tries to make up for a soup that he has spilled. When Rémy notices this, he sneaks into the kitchen to try to catch up with the dish. A true culinary collaboration then begins between the young man and the rat who guides him from the top of his head. A cartoon full of sweetness which offers us the most beautiful panoramas of the Parisian rooftops, promotes the excellence of French gastronomy and really makes us want to eat ratatouille!
The fabulous destiny of Amélie Poulain (2001)
We all have in mind the first notes of Amélie's Waltz, Nursery rhyme from another summer or any other composition by Yann Tiersen for this memorable film. An introverted young woman, Amélie (Audrey Tautou) decides to accomplish small gestures to help others. She also falls in love with Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), but is afraid to confess her feelings to him. All gently and poeticallywe see this character gradually opening up to others and daring to be herself. Why do we love it? Because he puts Montmartre in light and presents an idealized Paris.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Gil doesn't feel in tune with the times. Instead, he would dream of living in the 1920s. One night, curiously, he finds himself transported into the Paris of yesteryear where he manages to meet Hemingway, Picasso and even F. Scott Fitzgerald. But living in the past is just an illusion. Throughout his meetings and discussions, he realizes the beauty of the present. We love this Woody Allen film because it is aesthetically wonderful, immerses us in the atmosphere of an era that we would have loved to discover and reminds us to what extent our city is fabulous !
Before Sunset (2004)
Second film of the trilogy of Before, — which, by the way, are all worth it — Before Sunset takes us to the French capital where Jesse (Ethan Hawk) became a successful writer. While signing at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, he sees Céline again (Julie Delpy) whom he had met in Vienna many years earlier. Together they walk in the streets of Paris carrying us away through their discussions as powerful as they are moving. A real ode to love and to the City of Lights!
The Kid (2007)
Perhaps not directly devoted to Paris, although, The Kid pays tribute to one of the greatest personalities, one of the greatest Parisian symbols: Edith Piaf. On screen, Marion Cotillard brilliantly embodies the woman whose voice has moved the entire capital, France and the world for many decades. We follow the emergence of this artistfrom his childhood to his concerts on the biggest stages. A film widely acclaimed by critics, crowned with five Césars, a Golden Globe and the Oscar for best actress for Marion Cotillard.
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Without the slightest doubt, the Moulin Rouge is the very incarnation of the world of Parisian entertainment. This musical film directed by Baz Luhrmann immerses us in the Paris of the Belle Époque where Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young British writer, arrives in the capital and falls in love with Satine (Nicole Kidman), star of Moulin Rouge. But the latter is promised to a rich duke, forcing them to have a secret relationship. Between social obligations and passionate love, the film makes us experience a real emotional elevatorin a most sumptuous setting.
120 beats per minute (2017)
A movie crush and necessary. 120 beats per minute follows the members of l’association ACT UP Paris in the early 1990s. Between personal stories and radical actions to fight against inequalities and the inaction of the authorities while the HIV/AIDS epidemic rages, the film pays a moving tribute to these Parisian activists.
A Monster in Paris (2011)
Direction the Paris of 1910 with this animated film directed by Bibo Bergeron. Francoeura monster created following a scientific error, appears in the capital. Far from scary and threatening as everyone imagines, this “monster” is in reality nothing bad. Emilea young cinema projectionist, and his friend Raoul decide to protect Francoeur and prove to the world that he does not represent no danger. Very gently, this feature film gives us a story of strong friendship, depicted in the sumptuous setting lively streets of Paris from the beginning of the last century.
The infernal Montparnasse Tower (2001)
How to talk about Paris without mentioning The infernal Montparnasse Tower ? As they go about their daily tasks, Eric and Ramzytwo window cleaners who work in the Montparnasse Tower find themselves involved in a hostage taking organized by terrorists. In a clumsy way, they try to foil criminal plans. Relying on action movie clichés and parodies, all in the emblematic setting of this Parisian skyscraper, this comedy uses the capital as a humorous playground. A winning bet since the film continues to make us laugh more than 20 years after its release.
The Boom (1980)
44 years ago now, cinema spectators discovered a young Sophie Marceau shared between his stories of family, friends, and especially boys. A film that has become cultin which we walk with pleasure the legendary streets of the 5th, from the Pantheon to the Latin Quarter. And one thing is certain, in four decades, the capital has not changed that much, whether it is the streets or the clothing style of its inhabitants. In any case, today we still have so much fun to immerse yourself in the adventures of Vic's life, and to dance to “Reality”.
Paris I love you (2006)
In this comedy not like the others composed of 18 sketches, we discover one after the other 18 of the 20 districts of the capital. And for good reason, each of the chapters immerses us in a romantic encounter, sometimes romantic, sometimes chaotic, in the most famous neighborhoods of the city of love. The MarshBastille, and Latin Quarter become in turn the theater of short stories which cover the entire range of human relations, for our greatest pleasure.
Lol (2008)
Lola a 16 ansand she is preparing to return to high school accompanied by all her friends. But obviously, life in the chic neighborhoods of the 16that that age, is far from easy. With this kind of remake of The Boomin which we also find the charming Sophie Marceau, another part of the capital is presented to us. A comedy subtly superficialwhich made us all laugh, cry, dance, and even fall in love at the time of its release, which we continue to watch with a mixture of guilty pleasure and nostalgia.
All That Glitters (2010)
Ely et Lilatwo friends who have known each other since childhood, have spent their lives in an HLM in Puteaux with only one idea in mind: make a place for yourself in the capital. Fed up with being treated like suburban outcasts, they do everything they can to make their dream come true, until it turns (almost) into a nightmare. A nice film that speaks values, friendshipand which above all invites us to rethink the image that is sometimes a little too glamorous and idealized that we can have of Paris.
Paris (2008)
Paris is the intermingling of several stories which are linked. For example, there is Pierre, a ballet dancer who becomes seriously ill and will have to stop dancing. There is also Élise, his sister with whom he decides to settle down. She too must face to everyday worriesboth on a personal and professional level. More than a setting, the city of Paris is the essential element of the film, which allows to the stories of crossing pathsalso the one where each of the characters learns to (re)construct themselves.
Breathless (1960)
Obviously a film Jean-Luc Godardin this case his first feature film, must be part of this selection. After stealing a car in Marseille and killing a police officer, Michel Poiccarda young delinquent, takes refuge in Paris. There he finds Patricia, an aspiring journalist, with whom he talks a love affair. He dreams of going to Italy, and tries to convince her to follow him. The capital then registers as the place of freedomof youth.
