Cinema and the Republic: Filming on the Margins in Contemporary France (French and Francophone Studies)

This book analyses contemporary French films by focussing closely on cinematic representations of immigrants and residents of suburban housing estates known as banlieues. It begins by examining how these groups are conceived of within France's Republican political model before analysing films that focus on four key issues. Firstly, it will assess representations of undocumented migrants known as sans-papiers before then analysing depictions of deportations made possible by the controversial double peine law. Next, it will examine films about relations between young people and the police in suburban France before exploring films that challenge cliches about these areas. The conclusion assesses what these films show about contemporary French political cinema. Introduction Chapter One: Cinema and the Republic Chapter Two: T he Sans-papiers on Screen – Contextualising Immigrant Experiences in Film Chapter Three: Double peine: The Challenges of Mobilising Support for Foreign Criminals via Cinema Chapter Four: C hallenging or Perpetuating Clichés? Young People and the Police in France’s Banlieues Chapter Five: C hallenging Stereotypes about France’s Banlieues by Shifting the Focus? Conclusion Notes Filmography and Bibliography Index This Book Analyses Contemporary French Films By Focussing Closely On Cinematic Representations Of Immigrants And Residents Of Suburban Housing Estates Known As Banlieues. It Begins By Examining How These Groups Are Conceived Of Within France’s Republican Political Model Before Analysing Films That Focus On Four Key Issues. Firstly, It Will Assess Representations Of Undocumented Migrants Known As Sans-papiers Before Then Analysing Depictions Of Deportations Made Possible By The Controversial Double Peine Law. Next, It Will Examine Films About Relations Between Young People And The Police In Suburban France Before Exploring Films That Challenge Clichés About These Areas. The Conclusion Assesses What These Films Show About Contemporary French Political Cinema. This book analyses contemporary French films by focussing closely on cinematic representations of immigrants and residents of suburban housing estates known as banlieues. It begins by examining how these groups are conceived of within France s Republican political model before analysing films that focus on four key issues. Firstly, it will assess representations of undocumented migrants known as sans-papiers before then analysing depictions of deportations made possible by the controversial double peine law. Next, it will examine films about relations between young people and the police in suburban France before exploring films that challenge clichés about these areas. The conclusion assesses what these films show about contemporary French political cinema Cinema And The Republic -- The Sans-papiers On Screen : Contextualising Immigrant Experiences In Film -- Double Peine : The Challenges Of Mobilising Support For Foreign Criminals Via Cinema -- Challenging Or Perpetuating Clichés? Young People And The Police In France's Banlieues -- Challenging Stereotypes About France's Banlieues By Shifting The Focus? Jonathan Ervine. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [173]-189) And Index. A thought-provoking study of what contemporary French cinema has to say about immigration and social cohesion