The following is a list of films which may be shown during French 1. Each title is followed by the MPA “rating,” and a brief description of the film. France does not rate its films in the same way. Documentaries, or films made before the founding of the MPA also have no rating. For these films I indicated “NR” for Not Rated. Most of these films are available at local video stores or at the public library if you wish to preview them.
Please not that I do not show scenes in class that I feel would be inappropriate in a high school classroom.
Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board Policy requires teachers to have written parent permission to show any film which does not have a MPA rating of “G."
Please initial the space before each movie which you do give permission for your son/daughter to view during class.
If you do not give permission for him/her to view a particular film, please put an O in the space.
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_______
Charlie Brown Goes
to France “G.”This film helps beginning
French students understand the problems related to cultural relativity.
_______
La Belle et La Bete(The
Beauty and the Beast) “NR.” Jean Cocteau’s classic black and
white version portraying the French fairy tale of a kind, loving young
woman who frees a prince from a “beastly” spell. The story takes place
during the middle ages.
_______ The Beauty
and the Beast “G.” Disney’s animated
portrayal of the same story is used to demonstrate the changes in perspective
and culture during the 20th century.
_______
The Hunchback of
Notre Dame “NR” This 1939 classic with
Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara portrays life in Paris before the French
revolution.
_______
The Hunchback of
Notre Dame “G” The Disney animated version
is sometimes used if I have a substitute. It opens discussions as to why
Disney changed the original story. The animation gives students a very
accurate image of the beautiful cathedral and city.
_______
A Tale of Two Cities“NR”
Charles Dickens’ classic tale is set during the French Revolution. This
1935 version stars Ronald Colman, Elizabeth Allan and Donald Woods.
_______ Casablanca
“NR”Humphrey Bogart and Ingred Bergman star in this classic film about
the resistance during W.W.II. This film was actually filmed during the
war.
_______ Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) “NR.” Winner of the Best Film of the Decade at the American Film Festival, the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and the Academy Award winner for Best Original screen play in 1956. A lonely French boy befriends a wondrous red balloon which follows him through this allegory on the magic powers of love and friendship.
_______
Ratatouille
“G.” Disney’s animated portrayal of a country rat that wants to become
an accomplished Parisian chef.
_______ Chocolat
“PG.” A 1950’s French village is brought back to life by a free spirited
new resident.
_______ Cousteau, Pioneer
of the Sea “G.” Life and accomplishments
of the renown marine biologist.
_______ The Artist “PG-13.”Winner of five Oscars, this artful black-and-white silent film follows the romance between a silent-era superstar on a downward spiral and a rising young starlet who embraces the future of cinema at the dawn of the "talkies."
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I, the parent/guardian of __________________________________
give permission for my son/daughter to view the films initialed above during
French class, during the _____________ school year. I do not give permission
for him/her to see any of the films indicated with “O.”
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
_________________________________--_________
Please Print Parent/Guardian’s
Name: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone:___________________________Work Phone:_________________________email address: _________________________