1993: Germinal

Lantier leads the miners to a moonlit glade where, away from company spies, they vote to strike. The singing of “Le Temps des Cerises” (a revolutionary anthem) transforms the crowd into a chorus of defiance. It is the film’s most beautiful and chilling sequence.

The story follows Etienne Lantier (Renaud), an out-of-work machinist who arrives at the mine and eventually organizes a labor union. Etienne and Maheu germinal 1993

At the time of its release, Germinal was the most expensive French film ever made. While some critics initially found it "miserabilist" or overly focused on period clichés, it won for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design, and it was nominated for Best Film and Best Director. Lantier leads the miners to a moonlit glade