Five French movies to watch in June on TV5MONDE
In need of a good laugh? Tune into TV5MONDE in June with a month of comedies from the Woody Allen inspired movie Deux fils to the quirky rom-com Premières vacances.
Tambour battant
June 3 at 8:30pm/ET/5:30pm. In French with English subtitles.
A tender comedy for the whole family around a rivalry between two brass bands in rural France which sheds a light with tact on the difficult mariage of traditions and modernism.
It's the beginning of spring in 1970, and the little Swiss village of Monchoux is unusually agitated. Is it because of the federal vote on women's suffrage? The forthcoming referendum on the expulsion of foreigners? No, it's far worse than that: the village band has imploded!
"A quirky comedy that is a little about politics and music, but mostly about love, friendship, and immigration." - Switzerland in the USA
Director: François-Christophe Marzal (Switerland 2019)
Cast: Pierre Mifsud, Pascal Demolon, Sabine Timoteo, Jean-Luc Bideau
Genre: Comedy
Deux fils
June 6 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
Inspired by the cinema of Woody Allen, Félix Moati finds the right tone between humor and melancholy with a brilliant trio of actors led by Benoît Poelvoorde.
"In a field of French comedies that’s often divided between buffoonish commercial fare and naval-gazing auteurism, Félix Moati manages to finds a welcome middle ground" - The Hollywood Reporter
Director: Félix Moati (France 2018)
Cast: Vincent Lacoste, Benoît Poelvoorde, Mathieu Capella, Anaïs Demoustier
Genre: Dramedy
Première année
June 13 at 8:35 pm ET/5:35 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
Doctor-turned-filmmaker Thomas Lilti delivers a beautiful tribute to friendship without holding back criticism on the unbelievable pressure put on medical students in France.
First year of medical school. Antoine is trying his luck for the third time whilst Benjamin has just left high school. In an environment that is violently competitive, the two students will have to work relentlessly and find the perfect balance between the challenges of today and hopes of tomorrow.
"The film's heart beats through its central, intense, and fragile relationship between two ambitious young men." - Chicago Reader
Director: Thomas Lilti (France 2017)
With: Vincent Lacoste, William Lebghil, Michel Lerousseau
Genre: Dramedy
Djam
June 20 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
A melodious road-movie where music is as important as its main characters, Djam is both a beautiful love story and a tactful take on the refugee situation around the world.
Sent to Istanbul by her uncle to buy a rare ship piece, Djam, a young Greek woman, meets Avril, a 19-year-old French woman. Alone and without money, Avril came to Turkey to volunteer with the refugees. Djam decides to take April under her wing.
"As ever, Gatlif can't be faulted on energy, and world music lovers will relish the fairly diverse examples of a specific music genre." - Screen International
Director: Tony Gatlif (France, Greece, Turkey 2017)
With: Daphné Patakia, Maryne Cayon, Simon Abkarian
Genre: Dramedy
Premières vacances
June 27 at 8:35 pm ET/5:35 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
A quirky rom-com centered around a first date that takes Jonathan Cohen et Camille Chamoux, both irresistible as a mismatched couple, all the way to an improvised vacation in rural Bulgaria!
Despite having only just met, Ben and Marion decide to head off on holiday together! Their destination: Bulgaria, half-way between Beirut and Biarritz, their original destinations. But they rapidly discover that each has a very different idea of what makes the ideal holiday.
"The ideal romantic comedy for this summer." - Cinemania
Director: Patrick Cassir (France 2018)
With: Camille Chamoux, Jonathan Cohen, Camille Cottin, Jérémie Elkaïm
Genre: Comedy