Movie screens sprouting up in a park setting
PEEKING THROUGH THE LENS:
From silver-screen secrets to on-screen dramas, French gardens have been the unseen stars in many a period film. While these botanical beauties often provide the perfect backdrop for romance, intrigue, or even chilling encounters, it's not always the same gardens gracing our screens. Take the modern-day tryst in The Benchers of Paris (1995) where the Medici Fountain and the Saint-Vincent Cemetery in Montmartre'spaths played cupid. Or Corinne Marchand's quiet talks with a young soldier in Agnès Varda's Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), whose arm-in-arm stroll in Montsouris Park was as soothing as it was poignant. And who could forget the unsettling rendezvous near the bandstand in the Luxembourg Garden, starring Charles Denner and Micheline Morgan in Claude Chabrol's Landru (1963), or the budding seduction between the diva and the young postman in Diva (1981) by Jean-Jacques Beineix, near the Tuileries' Grand Basin?
These spots are cream-of-the-crop destinations for film buffs, but they're also worth a visit for the uninitiated. The gardens of Chantilly, for instance, took a backseat in a film shoot, replaced by Vaux-le-Vicomte. The Grand Canal of Versailles was swapped out for... Sceaux. As early as 1952, otherworldly night scenes from The Wages of Fear by Henri-Georges Clouzot were shot not in Guatemala, but in the Bamboo Grove of Anduze, nestled in the Cévennes.
Some Gardens Unseen
While specific French gardens might not make the cut as often as their British counterparts, they still hold a charming allure. Rural France, with its Provence landscapes, has been a popular choice for films such as "Jean de Florette." Despite the region's breathtaking beauty, the film veers away from showcasing famous gardens.
On the other hand, British gardens like Hampton Court Palace and those in the Cotswolds have been front-and-center in numerous period dramas. Hampton Court's Privy Garden and Pond Gardens offer an elegant flair that perfectly captures historical settings, while the Cotswolds' picturesque landscapes and Jacobean architecture make them a coveted choice for filmmakers.
Why the Swap?
Filmmakers often prioritize authenticity, aesthetics, practicality, cost, and artistic preference when it comes to choosing locations. British gardens are often more accessible and cost-effective to film in compared to French gardens. As a result, some French gardens find themselves replaced in film productions by their British brethren, who offer a more familiar setting for period dramas. From the charming village squares of the Cotswolds to the majestic beauty of Hampton Court Palace, British gardens continue to reign supreme in the cinematic world of period films.
- In contrast to some French gardens, rural Provence landscapes, notably seen in the movie "Jean de Florette," are equally charming yet often overlooked in period films.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts might appreciate gardening tips found in various lifestyle magazines, while also admiring the allure of gardens featured in movies and TV shows, such as the elegant Pond Gardens at Hampton Court Palace.
- Following the path of "The Benchers of Paris" (1995) and other films like "Cléo from 5 to 7" (1962) and "Diva" (1981), one might envision engaging in captivating discussions, whether in a park or garden, as an exciting part of their entertainment lifestyle.
