Journeys Through French Cinema
Voyage à travers le cinéma français
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About
My Journey Through French Cinema (2017), Bertrand Tavernier’s César-nominated three-and-a-half-hour tour through French film history, was too short to introduce audiences to all that he wanted to share. In this new eight-part series (8x55min), the acclaimed director of such films as Coup de Torchon and ‘Round Midnight guides us through a roster of filmmakers both influential and forgotten, explores how his country’s cinema was shaped by the German occupation and changed again through the New Wave, spotlights little-known female filmmakers, and more. Subjects include: René Clément, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Julien Duvivier, Henri Decoin, Claude Autant-Lara, as well as composers who made movie music an art in and of itself, far from the Hollywood spotlight.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
My Go-To Filmmakers, Part 1
In the first episode of this expansive series, Bertrand Tavernier discusses the directors who have both influenced him personally and impacted French Cinema at large. The journey begins with Jean Grémillon, whose film LE CIEL EST À VOUS (1944) Tavernier first saw at age 17 and was immediately smitten. Still under-appreciated outside of France, Tavernier extols the virtues of Grémillon’s emotional realism and stakes out a place for him in the canon as an unsung master. Next, he surveys the ouevre of Max Ophüls—from his American-made titles THE EXILE and THE RECKLESS MOMENT to beloved classics like LA RONDE and LOLA MONTES - before concluding with a discussion of Henri Decoin, whom Tavernier admires for his feminist-leaning narratives like LA VERITÉ SUR BÉBÉ DONGE and his noteworthy collaborations with composers.
My Go-To Filmmakers, Part 2
In part two of his discussion of influential filmmakers, Tavernier explores the formal and thematic approaches of Sacha Guitry, Marcel Pagnol, Jacques Tati, and Robert Bresson. The first two directors were introduced to Tavernier through the writings of Francois Truffaut, who championed their style as modernist despite the naysaying of the majority of critics at the time. Tavernier notes the ways in which Guitry’s playful self-reflexivity in particular paved the way for the New Wave. Despite their differences in style and tone, Tavernier is a great admirer of both Bresson and Tati. Using clips from THE DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST, A MAN ESCAPED, MR. HULOT’S HOLIDAY, PLAYTIME and more, he draws parallels between the ways the two filmmakers utilize space in the frame, and manage to balance realism and fable.
Les Chansons, Julien Duvivier
Tavernier dissects the importance of music in French Cinema with palpable enthusiasm, highlighting French actors who came from music hall backgrounds (Jean Gabin, Magali Noël, and Jean Gabin, among others), and the oft-overlooked contributions of directors to the process of songwriting itself. Surveying the work of René Clair, Sacha Guitry, Jean Boyer and more, Tavernier treats us to a feast of joyous clips from beloved classics like Agnès Varda’s CLEO FROM 5 TO 7, Louis Malle’s VIVA MARIA!, and Jacques Demy’s THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROQUEFORT, before honing in to focus on prolific director Julien Duvivier, whom he admires for his austere formal rigor, technical precision, contributions to songwriting, and creative use of sound.
Under German Occupation
Discussing the artistic and political atmosphere during the German occupation, Tavernier explores the ways in which French cinema was enriched by foreign talent as many directors, cinematographers, and technicians forced to leave their native countries for political reasons settled in France. Using a selection of illuminating clips, Tavernier illustrates how the majority of films made during this period upheld a powerful spirit of resistance against the anti-Semitic Vichy regime and dealt with difficult topics head-on. Filmmakers discussed include Viktor Tourjanski, Robert Siodmak, Jean-Paul Le Chanois, Albert Valentin, and André Cayatte.
Occupation to New Wave
As a postscript to his survey of moviemaking in France under German occupation, Tavernier takes a deep dive into how that period of history impacted films by three essential directors—Claude Autant-Lara, René Clément, and Henri-Georges Clouzot—all the way through their post-WWII work. They had completely different métiers, but each can be seen as ahead of his time and as part of a New Wave even before the one formally labeled as such. Availing himself of archival interviews with the subjects and their colleagues, Tavernier marvels at Lara’s proto-feminist narratives (the Woman in White films, Le Mariage de Chiffon); Clément’s brio with performers and framing detail (Forbidden Games, Purple Noon); and Clouzot’s novelistic eye that is loving but never sentimental (The Raven, The Wages of Fear).
The Forgotten Ones
In seeking to upgrade his own outmoded perspective on several filmmakers, Tavernier credits critic/programmer Patrick Brion and other writers for early and often championing directors who—decades after their heyday—were finally restored the respect they deserve. Tavernier revisits the oeuvres of Maurice Tourneur, whose crime tales were both bemusedly observational and authentic; Anatole Litvak, who stunned with his dynamic camera choices; Raymond Bernard, who made the groundbreaking 1932 epic Wooden Crosses on real-life WWI battlefields; René Clair, warmly chronicling a now-vanished working-class Paris; and — encoring after Episode 3 — comedy and musical specialist Jean Boyer, whose additional career as lyricist in collaboration with popular composer Georges van Parys make for tuneful rediscoveries.
Underrated Directors
Continuing to spotlight names that might be unfamiliar even to ardent film buffs, Tavernier unveils glorious restored footage from one of France’s first-ever color films, 1936’s La Terre qui meurt. The latter’s director, Jean Vallée, is given his due, as are Pierre Chenal, Henri Calef (previously Chenal’s assistant)—and trailblazing women directors including Jacqueline Audry (Olivia), Nelly Kaplan (A Very Curious Girl), and Agnès Varda (Cléo from 5 to 7), whose emergence in the 1950s Tavernier hails as “a thunderclap.” Tavernier is joined by Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux for an annotated discussion of director Gilles Grangier’s many teamings with iconic actor Jean Gabin that is rich in production anecdotes and histories.
My Sixties
Closing out his “exercise in admiration and gratitude” from an even more personal perspective, Tavernier recounts firsthand experiences from his 10 rewarding years as press attaché to and with legendary producer and publicist Pierre Rissient. Through the turbulent 1960s, the duo promoted American filmmakers while also shoring up French ones. Tavernier shares with us epiphanies he had with directors including but not limited to Eric Rohmer (narrating 1962’s La Boulangère de Monceau); the intensely loyal Jacques Deray; the gone-too-soon Philippe Fourastié; Pierre Granier-Deferre, who provided invaluable insight into how to direct actors; and Alain Resnais, whom Tavernier had idolized since seeing Hiroshima mon amour three times at age 18 and was proud to later count as a friend. Concluding the series in style, Tavernier surprises us by excerpting one final film that he cherishes...
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About Journeys Through French Cinema
My Journey Through French Cinema (2017), Bertrand Tavernier’s César-nominated three-and-a-half-hour tour through French film history, was too short to introduce audiences to all that he wanted to share. In this new eight-part series (8x55min), the acclaimed director of such films as Coup de Torchon and ‘Round Midnight guides us through a roster of filmmakers both influential and forgotten, explores how his country’s cinema was shaped by the German occupation and changed again through the New Wave, spotlights little-known female filmmakers, and more. Subjects include: René Clément, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Julien Duvivier, Henri Decoin, Claude Autant-Lara, as well as composers who made movie music an art in and of itself, far from the Hollywood spotlight. Across 1 season and 8 episodes, originally airing on France 5.
Journeys Through French Cinema Cast and Characters
The cast features Bertrand Tavernier (as Self). Their performances are a major reason Journeys Through French Cinema has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Journeys Through French Cinema Online
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▶ Watch Journeys Through French Cinema NowWhy People Are Watching Journeys Through French Cinema
There's a reason Journeys Through French Cinema keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy French storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Journeys Through French Cinema
Where can I watch Journeys Through French Cinema online for free?
You can watch Journeys Through French Cinema online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Journeys Through French Cinema have?
Journeys Through French Cinema has 8 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Journeys Through French Cinema good? What's the rating?
Journeys Through French Cinema holds a 8.5/10 rating based on 4 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Journeys Through French Cinema?
The main cast includes Bertrand Tavernier.
Is Journeys Through French Cinema available in French?
Yes — Journeys Through French Cinema was originally produced in French and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was Journeys Through French Cinema released?
Journeys Through French Cinema first aired in 2017.
Do I need an account to watch Journeys Through French Cinema on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Journeys Through French Cinema without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Journeys Through French Cinema for free?
You can watch Journeys Through French Cinema online for free on Bowood.TV. All 8 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Journeys Through French Cinema have?
Journeys Through French Cinema currently has 1 season and a total of 8 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Journeys Through French Cinema about?
My Journey Through French Cinema (2017), Bertrand Tavernier’s César-nominated three-and-a-half-hour tour through French film history, was too short to introduce audiences to all that he wanted to share. In this new eight-part series (8x55min), the acclaimed director of such films as Coup de Torchon and ‘Round Midnig… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Journeys Through French Cinema originally available?
Journeys Through French Cinema was originally produced in FR. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original FR audio. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Journeys Through French Cinema first released?
Journeys Through French Cinema first premiered on September 16, 2017 (2017). The series has since concluded its run.
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