French films have been a major contributor to the development of cinema. This is true of the French New Wave cinema of the 1960s and 1970s, which inspired filmmakers throughout the world, but also of today’s filmmakers who have maintained links with the tradition of French cinematic history. In this course, students will discuss and explore how contemporary French filmmakers investigate their chosen genre to shine light on the social landscape of present-day France. Together, we will examine, through group debate and shared deliberations, three distinct strands of contemporary French cinema: auteurism, history films and comedy. We will analyze the trends and filmmakers that have put France and kept contemporary French filmmaking at the forefront of world cinema. Films shown include: Lulu Femme Nue (Lulu in the Nude), Hors la Loi (Outside the Law), Les Adieux ‘a la Reine (Farewell My Queen), Fauteuils d’ochestre (Avenue Montaigne) and De l'autre côté du périph (On the Other Side of the Tracks).