Super easy and interesting GE!!!! I highly recommend! If you like watching and writing about movies you will love this class. If you're not a fan, maybe this isn't the bEST class for you, but honestly we also learn a lot about French culture and race relations that it makes discussion alone SUPER interesting. I went into this class not knowing what to expect, but I most definitely enjoyed it! I got an A! The midterm is easy, the short paper are SUPER easy, and the final is fine.

I took French 41 during Winter 2015.

She is an absolutely incredible professor. Coming from the Engineering School, she is the reason why I believe that UCLA has a stronger Humanities professors than Engineering professors. Very articulate, top-notch French (though classes are never given in French if that's a concern), all around great person. I unfortunately could not go to her OH because it conflicted with a class but I'm sure it would have been a blast if I did go.

The class went like every week a movie and then a lecture on the next day of class. So, 10 movies in 10 weeks (yes!) and a lecture following each one. Also, each film we saw had some thematic discussion of race.

Lectures were well organized and presented valuable information. She does go into a "lecture voice" i.e. droning voice, but if you are interested in the subject matter you won't find yourself lost in her arguments. She definitely made insightful analysis that made the films much more easier to understand and made me appreciate the film much more.

TA Discussion sessions were alright. My TA was a History student so not sure if he offers the best filmic insights to the films (but good insight into the history behind it). I think most students preferred the other TA but I'm not sure if she will be TAing for future classes as she got her PhD at the end of our quarter. With my TA, I was lucky to have some pretty insightful classmates talking about the readings and film. Each week, someone led a discussion with the reading but the TA frequently "intervened" to get the discussion going (we were a pretty quiet bunch). Overall, a very welcoming environment so always speak up no matter what your ideas are!!

The movie choices were also amazing. The Intouchables was the first one we saw and it's a brilliantly made fun film. I lot of people liked La Haine as well but I was alright with it (not particularly hyped about it). Excluding The Intouchables, my personal favourites were the one about a teacher in a school, the French colony documentary, Welcome to the Sticks, and Welcome. You won't have trouble finding a film that you will enjoy.

My only complaint about the class was that I hoped to learn more filmic techniques, specifically French film techniques as I adore the French style of films, and because the course title included "French cinema." I wasn't expecting a quarter discussing race in France.

Tests were a bit tricky. You had to memorize a lot of film techniques and be able to visually identify them. What made the MC test challenging was that that you can't easily identify the correct solution unless if you "became the word." As a result, I didn't do too hot on the tests. Thankfully, they were not the big proportion of the class.

Regarding the essays, there were 3 (?) essays we had to write. 2 were on selected films and the last one was any film we saw. I was very scared on writing them because I never understood how to write a good analysis essay in high school. But I guess my TA likes my style of analysis so I got A's on all my essays. Given how my writing generally lacks the "pop," I'm pretty sure most students got A's as well. Another thing about the leniency of grading is that I wrote my last essay the night before it was due and the others were written MAX 3 nights before. Ended up with an A- in the class (I think my final weighted percentage was an 89%)

In summary, awesome class, great professor, GPA booster GE, learn a lot about France, learn cool things about films, and have a great time. French 41 is THE class for the cultural analysis GE (thank gosh I didn't take the Ling GEs, would have missed out on this golden class).

I LOVED Prof Brozgal. I didn't actually attend Office hours but I loved her lectures, her choice of films and her insights on each of them. I absolutely loves The Intouchables and La Haine. There was only one film in the class that was sort of boring. I learnt a LOT about film and French culture. This was an AMAZING GE!

The French Cinema class was a really fun GE. Prof Brozgal is nothing short of amazing. We watched a film every tuesday and she gave a lecture about it on thursday. The readings were long and rather complex but she broke it all down to the basics. It was easy to follow. I learnt A LOT and I loved the selection of films too.

Professor Brozgal is very knowledgeable and concerned. In french 41, we watch the films on Tuesday and have lecture about the film on Thursday.

Grade breakdown:
15% attendance
10% participation
15% 3 response paper (5% each)
25% midterm
30% final
5% leading discussion

I got an A- in the class because I didn't study the slides when preparing for the midterm. Nevertheless, I learnt a lot in this class and really enjoy it!

She's amazing. I am a south campus major, but I really enjoyed this class and it was easy! I never did any of the readings and ended up with an A. Just go to lecture and take notes. Winmar the TA was really nice! Her study guides basically have everything you need to know for the midterm and final. The majority of the movies were interesting too! She is so nice, definitely take her class.