What Is The Word in French for Movies? + English-French Movie Glossary

What Is The Word in French for Movies?

In French, the word for “movies” is “films.” French, unlike English, doesn’t distinguishes between “film” and “movie”. A “feature film” is called a “long-métrage.” The French language also uses the term “cinéma” to refer to the art or industry of filmmaking as well as the place where movies are shown.

Is Film Feminine or Masculine in French?

The word “film” is masculine in French. So, you would say “le film.” For example, “Le film était incroyable” means “The movie was amazing.”

Is the Word Cinéma French?

Yes, the word “cinéma” is French. It is short for “cinématographe,” a term coined by the Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, who were pioneers of motion pictures. Based in Lyon, the Lumières developed one of the first cameras and projectors, and in 1895, they hosted what is widely considered the first public screening of films. This marked the birth of French cinéma, an art form that has influenced global filmmaking ever since.

Are There Any Good French Films?

Of course! French cinema has produced countless classics, from the poetic realism of Les Enfants du Paradis to the groundbreaking works of the French New Wave, such as François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows (Les Quatre Cents Coups), and Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (A bout de souffle). Modern favorites include Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain) with Audrey Tautou, The Intouchables (Intouchables) with Omar Sy, and Blue Is the Warmest Color (La Vie d’Adèle) with Lea Saydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos. To watch French films in America, visit FrenchFlicks’ list of free French movies to stream, or stream French movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and TV5MONDE USA.

Is Paris the Film Capital of the World?

No, Paris is not considered the film capital of the world. While Paris is a hub for filmmaking and is featured in iconic movies like Amélie, The Da Vinci Code, Midnight in Paris, and Emily in Paris, it lacks a major international film festival. Instead, Cannes, with its prestigious Cannes Film Festival, holds that title in France. Additionally, Lyon, the birthplace of the Lumière brothers, is home to the Institut Lumière and the Lumière FilmFestival, further solidifying its significance in French cinema. Paris does, however, boast numerous indie theaters and a rich cinematic history.

Does Netflix Have French Films?

Yes, Netflix offers a wide selection of French films and series. For a full list of French movies and TV shows available on Netflix, visit FrenchFlicks’ updated list of every French movie on Netflix.

Film Glossary

• Movie: Film — A motion picture.
• Feature Film: Long-métrage — A full-length film, typically over 60 minutes.
• Short Film: Court-métrage — A film shorter than a feature.
• Director: Réalisateur / Réalisatrice — The person who directs the film.
• Actor: Acteur / Actrice — A performer in a film.
• Screenwriter: Scénariste — The writer of a film’s script.
• Soundtrack: Bande originale — The music used in a film.
• Cinematography: Cinématographie — The art of filming.
• Cinema: Cinéma — Refers to the art or the theater.
• Thriller: Thriller — A suspenseful movie genre.
• Comedy: Comédie — A humorous film.
• Drama: Drame — A serious film genre.
• Romantic Comedy: Comédie romantique — A love story with humor.
• Documentary: Documentaire — A non-fiction film.
• Animated Film: Film d’animation — A film made with animation techniques.
• Silent Film: Film muet — A film without synchronized sound.
• Subtitles: Sous-titres — Text displaying dialogue translation.
• Film Editing: Montage — The process of editing a film.
• Independent Film: Film indépendant — A film made outside major studios.
• Classic Film: Film classique — A timeless or iconic movie.
• French New Wave: Nouvelle Vague — A revolutionary French film movement.
• Movie Theater: Salle de cinéma — A venue to watch films.
• Action Movie: Film d’action — A fast-paced movie with stunts.
• Romantic Drama: Drame romantique — A serious love story.
• Horror Movie: Film d’horreur — A movie designed to scare.
• Art Film: Film d’art et d’essai — A film emphasizing artistic value.
• Blockbuster: Superproduction — A big-budget commercial film.
• Film Festival: Festival de cinéma — An event showcasing films.
• Supporting Actor: Second rôle — A secondary performer.
• Lead Role: Rôle principal — The main character in a film.
• Cameo: Caméo — A brief appearance by a known figure.
• Screenplay: Scénario — The script of a film.
• Opening Credits: Générique d’ouverture — The introductory credits.
• Closing Credits: Générique de fin — The ending credits.
• Producer: Producteur / Productrice — The person managing the film’s production.
• Film Buff: Cinéphile — A passionate film enthusiast.

French films, whether they’re thrilling dramas like Le Samouraï or charming romantic comedies like Amélie, offer a unique window into the art of cinema. Explore and enjoy the best of French filmmaking today!