French history and culture in three different periods highlights in the movies The Visitors (Les Visiteurs), Ridicule, and Indochine. The films showcase France’s society from 12th Century to 20th Century. Through the films, France’s history moves from its colonisation on Vietnam to modern 20th-Century culture. French culture such as clothing, education, etiquette, and colonization transforms to be more advanced, civil and non-discriminatory.
The Visitors
The film shows the difference between French society in the 12th Century and the 20th Century. Coming from the 12th Century Godefroy and his servant Jacquouille are shocked by the modern society of the 20th Century. Godefroy destroys a postman’s car believing it to be a devil’s chariot with a Moor. The two attempt to understand the modern household appliances and end up causing mayhem and damage. They flood the bathroom by leaving the tap open, trash the bathroom during baths, light an umbrella with a piece of meat on …show more content…
Social status depended on the ability of a person to escape ridicule and dish out witty insults. When ridiculed or mocked, a person faced a lot of social injustice and rejection. Ponceludon, one of the few nobles who care about the peasants’ plight, tries to make his way to royal class so as to assist the peasants. He soon discovers the French royal class is corrupt, unsympathetic, cold, and meaningless. The French culture during this time is also uncaring and mocks deaf people in their society. Education seems to be quite advanced.Ponceludon is a skilled engineer, who comes up with a method to drain mosquito infested swamps that cause sickness and death. After being humiliated and tired of their behaviour, Ponceludon condemns the royal class for their moral decay and sets out on his own. Unlike in America, the French culture is at this moment seen to be of low moral values, and those in authority are