F ifty years have passed since students joined forces with factory workers, communists and others and wreaked political havoc in France in the month of May It was a political, social, cultural and moral turning point, and it lay the foundations for many of the anti-establishment movements that Europe and the world have seen since.
These people protested against capitalism, consumerism and American Imperialism. The revolutionary guile and fervour were such that political leaders feared yet another French revolution. Government momentarily ceased to function and President Charles de Gaulle secretly fled the country for a few hours.
Roughly two thirds of the French workforce were on strike at the height of the protests, and more than popular action committees were set up in Paris alone. Most universities completely ceased to operate. Below is a list of 10 films either looking back at the events or heavily influenced by them. This is just the right time to watch or rewatch these films and instil some revolutionary spirit into each one of us.
The films are listed in no specific order, and just click on the title in order to accede to our dirty review where available. This is perhaps the best-known and most easily accessible film about the events, as Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci crafts a lighthearted romantic comedy about an American student played by Michael Pitt caught up in the eye of hurricane.
He befriends two French siblings Louis Garrel and Eva Green who have an almost incestuous relationship. Here the revolution is both social and sexual. Redoubtable Michel Hazanvicious, :. Jeasn-Luc Godard thrived on controversy, paradoxes and even rejection β he loved admired his most ferocious critics: the students and activists.
