For a long time I have found the French language (and the culture attached to it) to be a welcome escape from the overwhelmingly English-speaking world we find ourselves in. The French accent; French radio; the country of France itself; and the incomparable beauty of the French language. I am by no means fluent, but I am by all means obsessed. Too obsessed that I find myself looking up French words in my spare time! It is incredibly relaxing, trust me.

Therefore, when I heard about the Institut Français, I had to pay a visit. Here, in South Kensington, in the heart of London, in the heart of England, I found another heart: the beating heart of the French nation (and in particular, on this visit, French cinema).

My film of choice was 'Les Sorcières de Salem' (1956). This French film, based on Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible', narrated the story of the witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts from February 1692 to May 1693. The witch trials saw 200 people in or around Salem accused of being witches or wizards, of which 19 were executed (as a result of the strict Puritan government at the time). These events are a dark stain on American history, because the witch trials created a climate of fear and chaos in which people were wrongly accused (and sometimes punished) for practising witchcraft.

This may sound like a very America-focused film. Indeed it is. But it very much links back to the history of French cinema due to the appearance of the iconic French actress Simone Signoret (25 March 1921 - 30 September 1985), playing Elisabeth. In the film, Elisabeth's husband John Proctor cheats on her with Abigail Williams (who was staying with them as their servant). Elisabeth catches Abigail and her husband together, and in her anger she forces Abigail out of the house. As Salem is increasingly troubled by witch trials, Abigail uses the situation to her advantage by accusing Elisabeth of being a witch as revenge. Chaos ensues, and - as you would expect - the film ends gruesomely.

This film formed as part of a series of films starring Simone Signoret shown by the Institut, which are part of a wider project from the Institut focusing on 'Women Shaping The World'. Signoret was a defining symbol of French (and global) cinema particularly from the 50s to the 70s, notably starring in films such as 'Les Diaboliques' (1954), the Oscar-winning English film 'Room At The Top' (1959), and as Madame Rosa in the well-received film of the same name (1977). Signoret played some of cinema's strongest and most daring characters. Indeed, Signoret herself was strong and daring, not letting her age cause her to be perceived as a 'lesser' actor. Despite the struggles being an older woman understandably brought in the 20th century film industry, she remained an icon. As the Institut stated, 'Signoret became something like the epitome of French screen acting and one of its most indelible figures'.

Through visiting the Institut, I was able to witness the richness of French cinema and the iconic actress Simone Signoret. I no doubt will return for more French culture.

As I previously hinted, the Institut is not only focused on screening films. This is only one of a variety of France-centred aspects of the Institut. France as a nation is at the centre of a great deal that the Institut provide. They offer French courses; reading groups on French literature (currently there is a reading group coming up based on 'A Simple Heart' by Gustave Flaubert); live talks by directors on films they have created; 'Europresse' (free online French and international press); a French digital library called the 'culturethèque'; and various activities for young children. There is no other institution in London that is filled with such passion for France and its culture. I would strongly recommend that you visit and enjoy the experience for yourself. I am eager to return there, in fact I intend to go there soon with my sister!