Prescribed Films (AS Unit 2) – one film from prescribed list — WJEC A-Level French
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Prescribed Films (AS Unit 2) – one film from prescribed list explained
AS Unit 1: Speaking is a non-exam assessment worth 12% of the total A-level qualification.
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It lasts 12-15 minutes, preceded by 15 minutes of supervised preparation time. The assessment consists of two tasks: Task 1 (5-6 minutes) involves arguing a point of view based on a written stimulus card from the theme 'Understanding the French-speaking world'. Task 2 (7-9 minutes) is a discussion based on a written stimulus card from the theme 'Being a young person in French-speaking society'.
What to demonstrate
- Spontaneous use of language to initiate communication
- Ability to ask and answer questions
- Expressing thoughts, feelings, and presenting viewpoints
Show all 8 objectives
- Developing arguments, persuading, and evaluating
- Application of pronunciation, morphology, and syntax
- Use of a range of vocabulary and idiom
- Use of communication strategies (e.g., circumlocution, self-correction, repair strategies)
- Adherence to grammar requirements outlined in Appendix A
Prescribed Films (AS Unit 2) – one film from prescribed list exam tips
Topic Overview
This topic requires you to study one French-language film from the WJEC prescribed list in depth, preparing you for the AS Unit 2 examination. You will analyse the film's narrative, characters, themes, and cinematic techniques, while also considering its social, historical, and cultural context. The aim is to develop your ability to write critically and coherently in French about a film, using appropriate film studies terminology.
Studying a prescribed film is essential because it forms the basis of a significant portion of your AS French exam. You will be expected to write an analytical essay in French, demonstrating not only your language skills but also your understanding of how films convey meaning. This topic also connects to broader themes in French culture, such as identity, memory, or social issues, enriching your overall appreciation of Francophone cinema.
In the wider subject of French A-Level, this film study complements your work on literary texts and other cultural topics. It trains you to engage critically with visual media, a skill that is increasingly valuable in today's multimedia world. By mastering this topic, you will be better prepared for the A2 level, where you will study a second film or a work of literature in even greater depth.
Key Concepts
- →Cinematic techniques: mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound – how these elements create meaning and affect the audience.
- →Characterisation and narrative structure: how the film develops its characters and tells its story, including the use of flashbacks, voiceover, or non-linear timelines.
- →Themes and messages: the central ideas explored in the film, such as love, war, memory, or social class, and how they are communicated.
- →Cultural and historical context: the time and place in which the film is set and/or produced, and how this influences its content and reception.
- →Film criticism and analysis: using appropriate terminology to evaluate the film's success and compare it to other works.
Marking Points
- Spontaneous use of language to initiate communication
- Ability to ask and answer questions
- Expressing thoughts, feelings, and presenting viewpoints
- Developing arguments, persuading, and evaluating
- Application of pronunciation, morphology, and syntax
- Use of a range of vocabulary and idiom
- Use of communication strategies (e.g., circumlocution, self-correction, repair strategies)
- Adherence to grammar requirements outlined in Appendix A
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the 15-minute preparation time to make notes in French, English, or Welsh that act as memory aids, not full sentences
- 💡Be flexible with assessment dates as requested by the visiting examiner
- 💡Ensure the chosen standpoint for the argument task is clearly communicated to the examiner before starting
- 💡Familiarize yourself with the assessment grid descriptors to understand how to stretch and challenge your responses
- 💡Practice spontaneous interaction rather than relying on pre-learnt material
- 💡Use specific examples from the film to support every point you make. Refer to key scenes, shots, or dialogues, and explain their significance. This shows you have watched the film carefully and can analyse it in detail.
- 💡Learn and use film terminology in French (e.g., 'le plan', 'le montage', 'la bande-son'). This demonstrates your subject knowledge and helps you write more precisely. Create a glossary of terms to revise.
- 💡Structure your essay clearly: introduce your argument, develop it with paragraphs focusing on different aspects (e.g., characters, themes, techniques), and conclude by summarising your main points and offering a final evaluation.
Common Mistakes
- Reading out whole sentences or complete texts prepared during the 15-minute preparation time
- Exceeding the allocated timing for each stimulus card
- Failing to use the preparation time effectively to create memory aids rather than scripts
- Misconception: 'I just need to summarise the plot.' Correction: The exam requires analysis, not summary. You must discuss how and why the film is constructed, not just what happens.
- Misconception: 'I can write in English and then translate.' Correction: You must write directly in French, using accurate film vocabulary. Translating from English often leads to unnatural phrasing and loss of nuance.
- Misconception: 'Context is not important.' Correction: Context is crucial – it helps explain the filmmaker's choices and the film's meaning. Ignoring it can limit your analysis.