Getting to Know France
Overview of the Country
Reading about France
Books & Encyclopedias
Browsing Areas and Subject Headings
Newspapers
Travel Guides
Travel Web Sites
Films
Geography and Maps
Language
Few nations have a history of filmmaking as long and celebrated as France. Viewing a few French films before your trip can teach you a little about French culture, and prepare you for some debates with the friends you'll make in France.
FilmFinder
The UNC-Chapel Hill Media Resource Center's Filmfinder makes it easy to find French films, both classic and modern. Choose "France" in the Country box. You can narrow your search by genre, date, and other criteria.
French Films Online
The CinemaSpot web team maintains "French Film: a guide to classic French cinema." This simple site discusses classic French films, and provides links to further information.
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is a great starting place for exploring movies from France. You can enter "France" as a keyword, or try other search options such as "Characters" and "Plots."
Wikipedia includes extensive information on French films. Start with the "Cinema of France" article, then link to articles on films, actors, and other aspects that most interest you. Remember that Wikipedia is written and edited by its readers rather than professionals. Make sure to verify any facts you take from its articles.
Reading about French Cinema
The Library of Congress has created over 100 subject headings related to the French film industry. To explore these and find books on French movies, go to the UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries Catalog. Select "Subject Headings," and enter "Motion pictures--France." (Quotation marks are not necessary.) You can click on the resulting subject headings to see the materials in each category.
