Amélie

Book excerpt: "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain" was the surprise boxoffice success of 2001, with nine million spectators in France, and more than 30 million worldwide. The film turned Audrey Tautou into an international star, in her iconic role as Amelie, a naive French Parisian who devotes herself to mending the lives of the people around her. Shot on location in Paris, the film combines poetic and magical realism with stylish cinematography, original use of colour, state-of-the-art special effects, and an evocative soundtrack; together these have produced a popular film of universal appeal. Isabelle Vanderschelden examines the film's production within the French film industry. She analyzes the issues of genre and narrative that it presents so well. She looks in depth at the film's key scenes, as well as at Jeunet's distinctive visual style and cinematography and his use of digital technology. The national and international receptions of Amelie are explored to establish why the film has caught the public imagination and whether it marks a renewal in the cultural diversity and distinctive identity of the French film industry. This book will be essential reading for cinema lovers and students alike.