Five French films to watch in May on TV5MONDE

May is the month of the Cannes Film Festival! What could be more fitting than to relive the best films of the French persuasion presented at the festival in recent years on TV5MONDE.

Plaire, aimer et courir vite

After Love Songs, Christophe Honoré delivers a new moving and powerful film about love.

In the 1990s, Arthur, a student in Rennes, left everything to join Jacques in Paris. The two men have just met, and they are very in love. But time is running out: Jacques is dying of AIDS. That summer will remain forever etched in Arthur’s memory.

"The city - and the film itself - seemed to be bathed in blue, and it somehow feels both warm and cool at the same time. Warm, as in richly evocative, but also crisp and unsentimental." - Arizona Republic

Director: Christophe Honoré (France, 2017)
Cast: Vincent Lacoste, Pierre Deladonchamps, Denis Podalydès
Genre: Drama

La loi du marché

May 13 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
Palme d’Or Nominee, Winner Best Actor, Ecumenical Jury Prize | Cannes Film Festival 2015

A brutal, hot, and engaged film, carried by the no less powerful acting of Vincent Lindon, who portrays a man who falls victim to the system but also an executioner. 

51-year-old Thierry is unemployed. Between pointless re-training and repeated humiliations, times are more than difficult. Together with his wife, he tries to keep what's most important: their apartment and the education of their disabled son. He finally manages to get a job as a security guard in a supermarket.

"Mr. Brizé transforms one individual's story into a social tragedy." - New York Times

Director: Stéphane Brizé (France, 2014)
With: Vincent Lindon, Yves Ory, Karine de Mirbeck, Xavier Mathieu
Genre: Drama 

En liberté !

Well-known in France and America for Priceless with Audrey Tautou, Pierre Salvadori delivered his best film in 2018 - once again with the French actress from Amelie, here in a supporting role. The film is inspired by the work of Blake Edwards, creating a burlesque universe and can rely on two comedians that made a mark in the past decade of French cinéma : Adèle Haenel and Pio Marmai.

"A sufficiently wild ride to withstand its excesses." - Hollywood Reporter

Director: Pierre Salvadori (France 2016)
With: Adèle Haenel, Pio Marmaï, Vincent Elbaz, Audrey Tautou
Genre: Comedy

J'ai tué ma mère

Watching this in-depth nuanced, and honest coming-of-age story, you will be surprise to know that Xavier Dolan was only 19 when he completed this darkly humorous and insightful work of art.

Hubert, aged 16, fights with his mother. She drives him mad over the smallest things, and he can't stand her manipulating and guilt-making ways any more. Troubled by this love- hate relationship, Hubert lives his teenage years whilst remaining nostalgic about his happy childhood.

"As a director, Mr. Dolan has a freewheeling style, and he's self-dramatizing enough to want to call attention to it without being too much of a visual show-off." - New York Times

Director: Xavier Dolan (Canada 2009)
With: Xavier Dolan, Anne Dorval, Suzanne Clément
Genre: Drama 

Sibyl

May 23 at 8:30pm/ET/5:30pm. En français, avec des sous-titres anglais.
Sélection officielle Festival de Cannes 2019

Virgine Efira once again shows her talent as a chameleon actress in this explosive and stunning portrait of a woman. A must see.

Sibyl, a novelist who retrained as a psychotherapist ten years ago, is overwhelmed by a  desire to write again. As she seeks inspiration for her book, Margot, a young actress in  difficulty, pleads for an appointment. Her patient's words inspire her novel and immerse her  in her own tumultuous past.

"Virginie Efira gives a tour-de-force performance." - NPR Los Angeles

Director : Justine Triet (France, 2019)
Cast: Virginie Efira, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Gaspard Ulliel, Laure Calamy
Genre : Dramatic comedy