Coucou tout le monde!
Here we are again for a second blog promoting the French community on Fandom. In the previous post, we presented the biggest French-speaking communities on Fandom, while on the 14th of July we met on Discord to talk about French culture with users. Thank you very much to all the participants for making it so enjoyable! Today, you'll discover the French TV shows, movies, comics and books known all over the world, either directly or through an adaptation. We have picked the must-see in each category! Here's our selection of the most famous French and French-speaking comics, books, movies, series, video games and artists abroad. Please note that we tried to choose titles and artists that have a wiki on Fandom :)
Francophonie Day
It is true that March could also have been selected to highlight the French community. That month hosts the International Francophonie Day (or French language) on March 20, each year, a day shared with World Happiness Day. Wouldn't that be a sign?
This day allows French culture to be highlighted through music, art or any other form of culture. It is mainly known among French speakers, which is not negligible because the French language is exported throughout the world with a total of 321 million speakers today and remains the 5th most spoken language in the world after English, Chinese, Hindi and Spanish. This is the reason why, on the week of March 20, we promote the French language in France and abroad through various activities such as debates, exhibitions, oratory or writing competitions. In some countries, such as Lebanon, the celebration does not stop and lasts the whole month of March!
Most known French IPs
Let’s start with the most obvious, the famous French comic book series Asterix, which the whole world associates with France. Created in 1959 by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, Asterix has 39 volumes and is still the second best-selling comic book in the world behind One Piece. The French wiki even has an English equivalent, so don't hesitate to discover the comic adventures of our two famous Gauls!
It's hard to choose just one classic of French literature because we have quite a few. But to celebrate Bastille Day, Victor Hugo seemed appropriate. Les Misérables, published in 1862, is both a historical and social novel. Adapted many times into films and TV shows, you've probably seen the 2012 musical version with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, among others.
He is not called the father of science fiction for nothing! With over 60 novels, he is one of the most widely read authors in the world. His best-known works include The Mysterious Island, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and Around the World in Eighty Days, which have been adapted many times for the big and small screens. His books are considered among the pioneers of the steampunk genre.
You may not know it, but the famous 9-films saga is adapted from the science fiction novel of the same name written by French author Pierre Boulle in 1963. Planet of the Apes has also been made into a TV series, comic book and video game, no less!
Amélie was a bit like the French Titanic, a real phenomenon at the time of its release, in 2001. This cult film starring Audrey Tautou and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet represents a romantic vision of France and especially of Paris in the eyes of foreigners, who are always seen going to the filming locations in Montmartre!
Although shot in English and very much inspired by American blockbusters ('’Star Wars'’ in particular), The Fifth Element is a French SF classic. This film directed by Luc Besson in 1997 with Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovitch is still as fun today. Highly recommend it if you have never seen it!
In terms of video games, France can count on Ubisoft, a video game development, publishing and distribution company founded in 1986, which has produced such successful franchises as Assassin's Creed, Rabbids, Far Cry or Just Dance, among others. We have all played at least one Ubisoft game in our lives!
They are probably the best known French band abroad. This electronic duo, formed in 1993, is at the origin of what has been called the French Touch, a musical trend Made in France, as its name suggests. They exploded in 2001 with their album Discovery, and their Japanese animation music videos imagined by Leiji Matsumoto, the creator of Space Pirate: Captain Harlock.
The famous French-Korean-Japanese animated TV series is one of the most popular animated series today, broadcasted in over 120 countries! Miraculous Ladybug now has 5 seasons and has even given birth to a manga, several video games, and a musical soon!
To Go Further
And don’t forget to tell us which French speaking IPs and artists you know in the comments! See you next week for our last blog :)
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