The largest market for French cinema is none other than Hollywood's home turf. As the Ministry of Culture in Paris might say, there's no accounting for American taste. "March," a documentary about peregrine Empire penguins, barely registered in France but took in 16 million spectators abroad, mostly in the U.S., where it became the most-watched French film ever.
"Joyeux Noel" (Merry Christmas), about the impromptu football match along World War I trenches, and "Darwin's Nightmare," another documentary, also won Oscar nods. "Caché" (Hidden), with the stars Daniel Auteuil and past Oscar winner Juliette Binoche, "13-Tzameti," "Danny the Dog," and "The Transporter II" all found either critical or commercial success. Among the internationally big name actors born and bred in France are Mathieu Kassovitz, Jean Réno, Gérard Depardieu and not least the original Amélie Poulain, Audrey Tautou, who plays the lead female part in the coming "Da Vinci Code."
After so many dry years at home and abroad, and so much political capital spent to protect itself against all-powerful Hollywood, France is basking in its success. All it had to do was make films that moviegoers were willing to plop down good money to see.
The Wall Street Journal
