Film commentary: French Roast
A very amusing short film set in the atmosphere of Parisian cafés in the 1960s, inviting us to reflect on the sometimes deceptive appearances.Questioning the film: French Roast
Understand the story, the theme, express your sensibility and exercise your critical mind.Describe first the appearance of the characters and then what they really are.
1 The appearance of Gaspar, the homeless man.
Old clothes, a dishevelled hairstyle: he seems poor, without money.
He seems gruff, grumpy, wild.He looks a bit scary.
2 The appearance of Walter, the businessman, a customer in the restaurant.
Well dressed and well groomed: he looks rich.
He looks serious, stern, haughty, confident.He expresses confidence.
3 Sister Mary Magdalene's appearance.
She seems kind, gentle, harmless.
4 Explain the scene in the second 50 minutes of the film.
The homeless man asks the restaurant customer for money, but he refuses and hides behind his newspaper.
5 What happens at 1:20?
The customer seems to have forgotten his wallet.
6 What does the homeless man decide to do?
He decides to pretend nothing has happened and recommends coffee.
7 Why?
He doesn't dare tell the barista that he has no money.
8 What happens at 2:55?
The homeless man asks the nun (nun) for money and she gladly gives it to him.
Itis clear that she has a lot of money in her purse.
9What does the customer decide to do?
He tries to steal the nun's money.
10What is the policeman doing in the restaurant?
He has come to put up a wanted poster for a thief.On the poster, the thief is masked.
11What does the customer discover when he manages to open the nun's bag?
He discovers the thief's mask.
12What does the policeman think at this moment?
He thinks that the mask belongs to the customer and that he is therefore the thief.
The mask was in the nun's bag: she is the thief.
14What happens at the end of the film?
The customer cannot pay the bill and starts to cry.The homeless man finds a note and pays the bill for him.
15Express the differences between the appearance of the characters and what they really are.
The businessman seemed serious and sure of himself; but he did not dare to admit that he had forgotten his wallet and he is ready to steal money.
The homeless man seemed mean; but, even though he needs money, he did not hesitate to give what little he has to save the businessman from his situation.
The nun seemed sweet and harmless; but, in fact, she is a thief.
15And for you, is appearance important?
Open answer / debate
Download PDF of the film's educational activities
Created with the support of the Ministry of Education and the CNC.Family viewing of the film, educational activities with parents at home and with teachers in class.
Debates on appearance (EMC) (Cycle 2 and 3)
Educational activities proposed by Patrice Rocas based on the film French Roast.
Réseau Canopé course (Appearances)
Thematic course created by Patrice Rocas based on 4 films including French Roast.
Discover other educational sheets created with the support of the French Ministry of Education and the CNC...
