Families of France

Another solid addition to the consistently excellent Families of the World series, this volume profiles two children in France. Visiting nine-year-old Camille, who lives in Beaujolais, where her father keeps a 400-year-old vineyard, the cameras follow her on a typical day as she goes to school (while her parents head off to work), later takes riding lessons, and celebrates the Catholic holiday Three Kings Day. Viewers will also meet 10-year-old Emilien, who lives in the city of Lyon and shares his time between his divorced parents. As in the previous segment, we see Emilien in school, his parents at work, and lots of family interaction. As with earlier titles (see, most recently, reviews of Families of United Kingdom [VL-9/02] and Families of Japan [VL-7/99]), the strength of this program lies in its real-life approach to depicting similarities amongst and differences between cultures, as well as promoting curiosity, greater understanding, and tolerance. In one welcome improvement, the filmmakers have chosen to feature more of the original language. Boasting an interesting script, well-shot and edited footage, and the vantage point of a child's perspective, the latest addition to this acclaimed series is highly recommended. [Note: also newly available in the series for the same price is Families of Egypt.] Aud: E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)