Essential reading for enthusiasts and scholars of French film, this bestselling volume provides detailed analyses of twenty-two classics of French cinema, from the 1920s to the 1990s. Putting the films in the context of issues like the history of French cinema, gender politics, and the influence of Hollywood, French Film: Texts and Contexts discusses such masterpieces as Renoir's La Bete Humaine and Carne's Les Enfants du paradis; popular classics such as Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot and Ma nuit chez Maud; landmarks of the New Wave such as Les 400 coups and A bout de souffle; and important contemporary films such as Nikita and La Haine. This revised and updated edition includes new articles on controversial classics and key films of the 1990s, a filmography of each director discussed, a new introduction and bibliography, and a guide to further reading. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.