The 20th of March marks International French Language Day – a common favorite; however, a challenge to many due to all of its complexity.
At Le Répertoire de Gaspard we’ve put together a guide of French media, either to help you progress with your learnings or to simply to remind you of the beauty of this language in the arts (and not only the classics!).
BOOKS
Bonjour Tristesse / Un Certain Sourire by Françoise Sagan
Written at only 18 years old and set on the French Riviera, Bonjour Tristesse is a study of adolescense, vanity and morals with a touch of love during a warm summer by the sea. A Certain Smile follows similar themes of betrayal and devotion when a woman, bored with the stable life with her old lover begins an affair with an older, married man.
These two French tales have established Sagan as a classic literature figure from a very young age and can often be purchased within the same edition.
L’Étranger by Albert Camus
Published back in 40’s, The Stranger is Camus most famous work on existencialism – ‘the nakedness of a man faced with the absurd’.
Le Femme Rompue by Simone de Beauvoir
Author and philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir’s novels, monographs on political and social issues as well as essays and biographies are within the main names of contemporary feminism. In Le Femme Rompue we follow the stories of three different women all past their first youth.
MOVIES
Pierrot Le Fou directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Bored of his routine, Pierrot travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne.
Often put as a playful approach to existentialism, this is one of Godard’s most colorful masterpieces.
Amour directed by Michael Haneke
A stroke challenges the love bond between two retired music teachers – an emotional rollercoaster within many’s list of favorites.
PODCASTS
Little Talk in Slow French
Often through walks around Paris, we get to hear a speech designed for learnings while getting to know the city.
Passerelles
A (slow) French podcast on intermedia – from movie reviews to director’s analysis and all in between culture and nostalgia.
