Cinema of France refers to the film industry based in France. The French cinema comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad. France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle Vague, began in the country. It is noted for having a particularly strong film industry, due in part to protections afforded by the French government.
Apart from its strong indigenous film tradition, France has also been a gathering spot for artists from across Europe and the world. For this reason, French cinema is sometimes intertwined with the cinema of foreign nations. Directors from nations such as Poland, Argentina, Russia, Austria, and Georgia are prominent in the ranks of French cinema. Conversely, French directors have had prolific and influential careers in other countries.
Another element supporting this fact is that Paris has the highest density of cinemas in the world, measured by the number of movie theaters per inhabitant, and that in most "downtown Paris" movie theaters, foreign movies which would be secluded to "art houses" cinemas in other places are shown alongside "mainstream" works.
With 206.5 million tickets sold in 2010 and 215.6 million in 2011, France is the third biggest film market in the world both in terms of admissions and revenues. It is the most successful film industry in Europe, with a record breaking 261 films produced in 2010. France is also one of the few countries where non-American productions have the biggest share. Also, the French film industry is closer to being entirely self-sufficient than any other country in Europe, recovering around 80–90% of costs from revenues generated in the domestic market alone.
Best Foreign Language Film Wins[]
- 21st Academy Awards, 1948
- Monsieur Vincent — Maurice Cloche
- 23rd Academy Awards, 1950
- The Walls of Malapaga — René Clément
- 25th Academy Awards, 1952
- Forbidden Games — René Clément
- 31st Academy Awards, 1958
- My Uncle — Jacques Tati
- 32nd Academy Awards, 1959
- Black Orpheus — Marcel Camus
- 35th Academy Awards, 1962
- Sundays and Cybele — Serge Bourguignon
- 39th Academy Awards, 1966
- A Man and a Woman — Claude Lelouch
- 45th Academy Awards, 1972
- The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie — Luis Buñuel
- 46th Academy Awards, 1973
- Day for Night — François Truffaut
- 50th Academy Awards, 1977
- Madame Rosa — Moshé Mizrahi
- 51st Academy Awards, 1978
- Get Out Your Handkerchiefs — Bertrand Blier
- 65th Academy Awards, 1992
- Indochine — Régis Wargnier