After the best books on Massalia for yes, Marseille also shines in the cinema. Appearing in numerous films of different genres, Marseille Secrète has decided to highlight cinematographic works in which the Phocaean city plays the leading role. Silence, it’s spinning!
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Marius, Fanny and César, the must-see films by Marcel Pagnol
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What would this ranking be without films by Marcel Pagnol? Nicknamed the “Marseilles Trilogy”, the films Marius, Fanny and César are an ode to Marseilles, to the South, to the singing language and to places that have disappeared. In these feature-length films, shot in 1931, 1933 and 1936 respectively, we see the Café de la Marine and the the transporter bridge. To this day, Marcel Pagnol – born in Aubagne in 1895 – remains the best representative of Marseille.
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The film “Stillwater” by American director Tom McCarthy
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Marseille is even popular on the other side of the Atlantic! This second film takes us back in time and space. Released in 2021 and presented at the Cannes Film Festival, the American film “Stillwater” is set in the city of Marseille. We see Matt Damon (no less) arrive in our town to try to free his daughter, unjustly imprisoned for murder at the Baumettes. From the northern suburbs to the Mediterranean landscape, Marseille becomes the stage for a breathtaking investigation.
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William Friedkin’s “French Connection
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Another Thriller, same atmosphere. Is Marseille a source of inspiration for thriller directors? The famous filmFrench Connection” released in 1971 could be the proof. It shows the city of Marseille as a hub for drug trafficking, between le Panier, le vallon des Auffes, le Vieux-Port and le château d’If. Suspenseful, action-packed and thrilling, the film went on to win 5 Oscars, proving that it should be a must-see in our Marseilles film library.
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“Un, deux, trois, soleil” by Bertrand Blier
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In fourth place, the film “Un, deux, trois, soleil” by Bertrand Blier. Far from drug trafficking and violence, this is a family story. How can you love, what life lessons can you learn when you live in a housing estate? Far from clichés and preconceived ideas, director Bertrand Blier offers an honest and sometimes harsh portrait of life in the suburbs of Marseille.
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“Emmanuel Mouret’s “Venus and Flower
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In cinema, Marseille can also be synonymous with freedom and carefree spirit. In “Venus and Flower” released in 2004, we discover the encounter between a Parisian and a Russian woman who have nothing in common. Summer loves and hot days, this film available on Arte.Tv is your ideal ally for your summer evenings.
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Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Army of Shadows” film
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In 1969, the Franco-Italian film “Army of Shadows“by Parisian director and screenwriter Jean-Pierre Melville. Melville’s flagship film, inspired by a novel by Joseph Kessel. It tells the story of Philippe Gerbier, played by Lino Ventura. Arrested for “Gaullist thoughts”, I’ll Make a Man Out of You was arrested by the Vichy police. Gerbier managed to escape with the help of a resistance fighter and an apparently Petainist hairdresser. From there, he returned to Marseille, where he led a resistance network.
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The thriller “BAC Nord” by Cédric Jimenez
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In this recent film, released in 2020, Cédric Jimenez shows us Marseille’s northern neighborhoods through the eyes of a team from the Brigade anticriminalité. Greg, Yassine and Antoine are three agents of the BAC Nord who have lost all faith in the usefulness of their work. A negative view of housing estates? Taking sides with the police? While the director defends himself against these accusations, the fact remains that the film has created controversy.
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The film “Chercher le garçon” by Dorothée Sebbagh
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Marseille, city of love! In this 2012 film by Dorothée Sebbagh, the city of Marseille is transformed into a romantic stage. “Looking for the boy” tells the story of Émilie’s quest for true love with the ideal man. A light comedy, this unsuccessful film nevertheless paints a fine portrait of Marseille.
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Robert Guédiguian’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro
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Released in 2011, this film is set in Marseille. It tells the story of Michelle, a welder and union representative who draws his own name in the redundancy lottery at his ailing company. Some time later, during a burglary at his home, one of the thieves is identified as Christophe, a former colleague who has been made redundant. Drama, tenderness, twists and turns… The film The Snows of Kilimanjaro is inspired by Victor Hugo’s poem Les Pauvres Gens.
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The film “Shéhérazade” by Jean-Bernard Marlin
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Here’s the synopsis for this film released in 2018: inspired by a news story, Jean-Bernard Marlin ‘s film tells the love story between two young outsiders. Set against the backdrop of the streets of Marseille, we discover the story of 17-year-old Zachary, just out of prison for rape, and Shéhérazade, a young prostitute who takes him into her home. In 2019, Jean-Bernard Marlin obtains thanks to “Scheherazade the César for Best First Film.