See Paris through film with Optus SubHub

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Oi! Oi! Oi!

The Paris 2024 Olympics are here!

The Olympics are always such an incredible time. For a short moment, countries from different backgrounds and beliefs systems set aside their differences and respectfully compete against one another in good sportsmanship and comradery. It’s not about world politics or dynamics, it’s about coming together and sharing a common goal.

In saying that though - and I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking it - as excited as we are to barrack for our athletes and see them go for the gold, we cannot help but feel the travel bug creeping into our minds. They’re in Paris after all.

So unless you’ve booked in some holiday time or suddenly manage to develop some sporting skill worthy for the world stage, we can help try and bring the Parisian feel to you.

Optus SubHub has a catalogue of streaming platforms with films to help fill the travel void you may be experiencing at the moment. If you can’t be there physically, you can still experience it. Here’s what to watch if you’re dreaming of Paris.

Netflix: Rated M

People often call Paris as the City of Lights and the City of Love – and after watching Before Sunset, you’d believe it too. In its prequel, Before Sunrise, American tourist Jesse and French student Celine met by chance on a train ride through Europe the day before they need to return home to their respective countries. 

Sensing a connection, the two decide to waste their last day together exploring the streets of Vienna and experience the world through each other’s eyes. After spending their last day together and developing an early infatuation, the two make a pact to meet once again exactly a year later.

This movie picks up nine years later in Paris, where they once again explore the streets and try not to fall in love – not because they don’t feel it, but because in the years they’ve been away from each other they have also grown worlds apart. Before Sunset stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, who were both nominated for Academy awards in the writing category for this movie.

Binge: Rated M

If you like musicals, this one’s for you. If you don’t like musicals – keep scrolling, because Les Misérables is a musical through and through, as in the whole movie is singing.

Set in 19^th century post revolution French society, Jean Valijean is finally released from prison after decades behind bars. After serving his long sentence, he dreams of starting a new life as a free and good man. In order to reinvent himself though, Valijean uses stolen silver to start a new life and eventually becomes the business owner of a factory as well as the beloved mayor of the town.

Despite turning a new leaf and becoming a noble member of society, Javert, the prison guard of when Valjean was locked up is still holding onto a vendetta against him and vows to expose the truth and send him back to prison.

Les Misérables stars Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and more.

Netflix: Rated MA 15+

By now everyone should have seen Taken – and if you haven’t, what have you been doing?

It was movie that introduced the younger generation to the incomparable Liam Neeson and a lifetime of memes and quotes.

After his estranged daughter has been kidnapped by a gang of human traffickers, retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Neeson) travels to Paris to rescue her from being auctioned off in a slave trade operation. With her location unknown, Mills must pull out his old but extensive skillset to locate his daughter and shutdown this unknown organisation.

This movie hit the cultural zeitgeist and became a cinema phenomenon, so much so that it spawned two more instalments that also became quotable and “meme-able”. If you’re looking for an action movie that you can take seriously as well as watch casually – the Taken series is an easy and enjoyable watch that doesn’t require much thought or attention.

Binge: Rated MA 15+

Based on Dan Brown’s international bestseller and directed by Ron Howard, The Da Vinci Code stars Tom Hanks as symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (played by Audrey Tautou) who’ve been called in by the Parisian police to help solve a mysterious murder inside the Lourve.

After a naked body is found in the Renaissance section with a cryptic text secretly disguised nearby, Langdon and Neveu must solve the murder before being framed themselves. During their investigation, the duo realise that this is much more than a suspicious murder. Through ancient clues and symbol deciphering, they find themselves uncovering a religious mystery that has been protected by a secret society for over two thousand years.

Langdon and Neveu finds clues in Da Vinci paintings which delve into the mystery of whether or not the Holy Grail exists. The Da Vinci Code also stars Jean Reno, Alfred Molina and everybody’s favourite Ian McKellen. If you enjoyed this movie, you should also check out the follow-up films – Angels & Demons and Inferno.

Amazon Prime: Rated PG

Probably one of the most notable historical figures in France, Marie Antionette was the last queen consort prior to the French Revolution and arguably the most unpopular royal member in the history of France. Whilst nowadays she is known as a cultural icon for her lavishness, at the time she was despised by ordinary people for her costly excesses.

Seemingly, Marie Antoinette was a queen who enjoyed living an outrageous lifestyle at the expense of her people and the economy, so much so the French deemed her Madame Déficit which loosely translates to Madam Debt.

In the film’s retelling, it follows her betrothal to the King Louis XVI, all the way to (historical spoiler alert!) eventual public execution and ultimately the fall of Versailles. Directed by Sofia Coppola, her muse Kirsten Dunst stars as Marie Antionette in one of the most lavish looking films ever to come to the big screen.

It’s so easy to get lost in the opulence of the costume design, set decorating, hairstyling and even all the cake featured but at its core, the narrative is heart-wrenching, and you cannot help but empathise with our main character. She got lost in the fame and certainly made some bad decisions but at the end of the day, she was just a teenager who became queen.

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