It's hard to say if the overall standard has remained the same. Most of what plays in French theatres nowadays is similar to the fare elsewhere: crowd-pleasing comedies and thrillers -- times have certainly changed. But I don't have a problem with the likes of Assayas, Denis, Chereau, Garrel, Doillon, etc. eventually taking over. But are there enough people now who appreciate that sort of cinema. The debate continues in the pages of Cahiers and the likes. In the meantime, the old masters have continued to make great films like Notre Musique, Historie de Marie et Julien, Triple Agent, etc.