The French as Seen by…

In 1988 a French magazine invited five well known filmmakers to make short films reflecting on France, and the result is an anthology that moves from odd comedy to quiet documentary and wartime reflection. Each director brings a distinct approach: one segment plays like a staged interview, another takes a satirical peek at cultural misunderstandings, while others use historical references or poetic images to consider French identity. The pieces are standalone but stitched together by a loose theme, with familiar faces popping up, including a host who introduces the program and interviewees who offer personal recollections. No single narrative ties everything up, so the film feels like a patchwork of impressions rather than a conventional story.

Released in 1988, the project was commissioned by Figaro to mark its tenth anniversary and the bicentenary of the French Revolution, with segments directed by Werner Herzog, David Lynch, Luigi Comencini, Jean Luc Godard, and Andrzej Wajda.

The film never had a major commercial rollout, finding most of its audience at festivals, retrospectives, and art house screenings, so it didn't register as a mainstream box office performer.

Among cinephile circles the anthology is remembered for its odd contrasts, especially David Lynch's "The Cowboy and the Frenchman," which attracted attention for its cultural playfulness, and for Herzog and Godard contributing their unmistakable styles. It's often cited in discussions about how auteurs interpret national stereotypes and in programs showcasing each director's lesser known works.

Critical reaction was mixed to favorable, reflected in a modest user score around 6.9 out of 10 from a small number of votes. Reviewers tended to appreciate the variety and the way each segment showcases a director's signature concerns, noting recurring themes of identity, mythmaking, and cultural misunderstanding, even if the collection sometimes feels uneven in tone and intent.