Un Coeur en Hiver is an impressive French film regarding the greatest human emotions and phobias, particularly fear and anxiety of closeness and fear of being rejected.

The film is the tale of 3 people. Maxime and Stephane are long-term business affiliates who run a small enterprise which constructs and repairs violins. Maxime operates the company end of the operation, and Stephane is an authority builder who deals with the repairs. Someday, Maxime explains to Stephane that he has met someone. A woman known as Camille, an attractive and gifted violinist. Maxime clarifies that he and Camille have fallen in love and are preparing to live together, but as Stephane and Camille start passing time collectively in their expert capacities, it turns into clear that they are interested in one another.

Yet, for a motive Stephane will not act on his feelings even more perplexing Camille. To her, he is an enigma. Ultimately, she asks him, “Why are you concealing from me?” Stephane, at the same time, can only extra distance himself from her. Eventually,Camille discloses to Stephane that she wants him, and can admit the truth that he lives in an encased world. Stephane replies that she misunderstands him. He cruelly informs her that he has wanted to attract her, without loving her, and that he listens to her play her violin only since it is his work. Stephane, of course, is covering his true sensations. At first, this looks self detrimental, as he is throwing away any chance for the involvement he desires with Camille. His remarks deeply hurt Camille, and, ultimately, she ends up settling for Maxime. By the end of the film, Stephane, Camille and Maxime meet in a cafe. As Camille and Maxime start to walk away there is a look of depression on Camille’s face. As Stephane is left alone, he too reveals that look, but he continues to be struggling to express his emotions and share his lifetime with another person. In his mind, his denial of Camille is an action of self ongoing availability.

Un Coeur en Hiver is already a classic of French romance and drama.

p.s: Do you want to learn French in depth. If so, check Rosetta Stone French V4 too?

She is condemned to prison for life, but the French secret services, looking for cold blooded killers, have identified the potential in her. They offer her an alternative future. If she proves herself, she could become a secret agent herself. She accepts and starts a hard career.

Director Luc Besson manages to keep a high level of energy and our interest – from the opening scene – a violent drugstore shootout until the very last moment. A high adrenaline anti-heroine thriller.

IMDB Rating : 7.5 /10

Buy on Amazon

Two Parisian mob killers, two tapes, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed. All these characters twist their way through an intricate and stylish French language thriller.

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations.

IMDB Rating : 7.1/10

Buy on Amazon

This is a very funny film which, in spite of the storyline, is not as black as the opening scene would suggest. Jeunet and Caro’s filmographic style is unusual – in fact genuinely surreal in places. The extraordinary performances from all of the cast members (particularly Pinon and Dougnac), the spooky incidental music, and the creepy sets all add to the bizarre, other-worldliness of this film.

IMDB Rating : 7.9/10

Buy on Amazon

The heart of the plot is a love story between mime artiste Baptiste (Jean-Louis Barrault) and streetwalker Garance (the magnificent, sand-paper-voiced Arletty). When Garance is falsely accused of pickpocketing, Baptiste provides a mimed alibi for her to the police (one of the film’s most famous set pieces). The rose she later throws him in gratitude sets off a romantic obsession, one of several that structure the film, as do love triangles, duels, and tortured confessions of feeling.

IMDB Rating : 8.0/10

Buy on Amazon

The pious mayor sees Vianne as the enemy, and his war against her peaks with the arrival of “river rats” led by Roux, whose attraction to Vianne is immediate and reciprocal. Splendid subplots involve a battered wife, a village elder, and her estranged daughter, and while the film’s broader strokes may be regrettable (if not for Molina’s rich performance, the mayor would be a caricature), its subtleties are often sublime. A sweet delightful treat.

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 28 nominations

IMDB Rating : 7.3/10

Buy on Amazon

From then on, Amelie dedicates herself to helping others find happiness … in the most delightfully unexpected way! But will she have the courage to do for herself what she has done for others? Amelie is, without a doubt, one of the most heartwarming films ever made.

IMDB Rating : 8.6/10

Buy on Amazon

Francois Truffaut’s Jules et Jim was a very popular art-house movie in the early sixties. If you like character-driven stories about unconventional people, you’ll enjoy Jules and Jim.

IMDB Rating : 7.8

Buy on Amazon