The International Connection

The golden age wasn't insular—French cinema attracted international talent and sent its stars abroad. Romy Schneider, the Austrian actress who would become a French cinema icon, began her French career in the late 1950s. Her collaboration with Alain Delon in "Christine" (1958) began a love affair with French cinema that would define her career.

Similarly, Italian stars like Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren frequently worked in French productions, creating a cross-pollination that enriched both cinemas. This international flavor would become increasingly important as French cinema evolved.