
After the best books on Massalia, it’s time to turn to the 7th Art: 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, ça tourne!
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Marius, Fanny and César, the must-see films by Marcel Pagnol
What would this ranking be without the films of Marcel Pagnol? Nicknamed the “Marseilles Trilogy”, the films Marius, Fanny and César are an ode to Marseilles, to the South, to the lilting spoken word and to lost places. In these feature films, shot in 1931, 1933 and 1936 respectively, we catch a glimpse of the Café de la Marine and the Transbordeur 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
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 Marseille. We see Matt Damon (no less) arrive in our city to try to free his daughter, unjustly imprisoned for murder at the Baumettes prison. From the northern suburbs to the Mediterranean landscape, Marseille becomes the scene of a breathtaking investigation.
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William Friedkin’s “French Connection
Another thriller, same atmosphere. Is Marseille a source of inspiration for thriller directors? The famous1971 film “French Connection” could be the proof. It depicts the city of Marseille as a hub of drug trafficking between the Panier, the Vallon des Auffes, the Old Port and the 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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“Bertrand Blier’s “Un, deux, trois, soleil
In fourth place isBertrand Blier’s ” Un, deux, trois, soleil”.Far from drug trafficking and violence, this is a family story. How do you love, what life lessons can you learn when you live on 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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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas is certainly one of the most famous authors to have chosen Marseille as the setting for his novel The Count of Monte Cristo. The story recounts the quest for revenge of a young man, unjustly accused of treason and imprisoned for 14 years in the jails of the Château d’If. We invite you to discover the adaptation of this story released in 2024 with Pierre Niney in the role of the Count – magnificent scenery awaits you!
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“Emmanuel Mouret’s “Vénus et Fleur
In cinema, Marseille can also be synonymous with freedom and insouciance. In “Vénus et Fleur”, released in 2004, we discover the encounter between a Parisian and a Russian woman who have nothing in common. Summer love and hot days, this film available on Arte.Tv is your ideal ally for your summer evenings.
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The film “L’Armée des ombres” by Jean-Pierre Melville
1969 saw the release of the Franco-Italian film “L’Armée des ombres” (The Army of Shadows) by Parisian director and screenwriter Jean-Pierre Melville. Melville’s landmark film was inspired by a novel by Joseph Kessel. It tells the story of Philippe Gerbier, played by Lino Ventura. Arrested for “Gaullist thoughts”, the man is 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 ran a resistance network.
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The thriller “BAC Nord” by Cédric Jimenez
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 BAC Nord officers who have lost all illusions about the usefulness of their work. Negative view of the 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
Marseille, city of love! In this film by Dorothée Sebbagh, released in 2012, the city of Marseille is transformed into a romantic scene. ” Chercher le garçon” tells the story of Émilie, in search of true love with the ideal man. A light-hearted comedy, this unsuccessful film nevertheless paints a fine portrait of Marseille.
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Robert Guédiguian’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro
Released in 2011, this film is set in Marseille. It tells the story of Michel, a welder and union representative, who draws his own name in the draw for redundancies 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 Les Neiges du Kilimandjaro is inspired by Victor Hugo’s poem Les Pauvres Gens.
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The film “Shéhérazade” by Jean-Bernard Marlin
Here’s the synopsis of this film released in 2018: inspired by a news story, Jean-Bernard Marlin ‘s film tells the love story of 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, “Shéhérazade” won Jean-Bernard Marlin the César for Best First Film.