On 12th November, we had the opportunity to visit BFI Southbank for a French Education Day — an inspiring and immersive experience for anyone passionate about French language and culture.
The morning began with an engaging presentation by a French teacher, who spoke entirely in French as he explored a range of films from the Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave) including “Les 400 Coups”, “A bout de souffle” and “Cléo de 5 à 7” and showing their influences in modern films such as “Bande de filles”, “Entre les murs”, “Amélie” and more. He compared the different directors’ styles and techniques, offering fascinating insights into how the earlier films have shaped modern cinema. It was both challenging and rewarding to follow his analysis in French, deepening our appreciation for the language and the artistry behind the films.
After lunch, we watched La Haine, a powerful and thought-provoking film that follows three young men navigating life in the Parisian banlieues (suburbs) in the mid-1990s. The raw energy, striking black-and-white cinematography, and emotional intensity of the story kept everyone captivated from start to finish.
Overall, it was a wonderful day of cultural and linguistic immersion — a perfect blend of film, language, and inspiration!
Bimugdha, Year 12
