The Five French Films to Watch on TV5MONDE in February

TV5MONDE is celebrating love in all forms - that of a father or mother for their children, the seemingly impossible love of those under occupation, or those hoping to win the other back.

Nos batailles

February 7 at 8:40 pm ET/5:40 pm PT. In French, with English subtitles.

Romain Duris is absolutely exceptional in his role as a courageous father, wounded but not completely defeated. Inspirational and thought provoking.

His wife left without a word and without any explanation. From one day to the next Olivier finds himself on his own with their two children, trying to juggle family life and professional life. He struggles to find a new balance in his life. Because Laura doesn't come back.

"A solid, visceral, human, and potent social drama." La Nación

Director: Guillaume Senez (Belgium, France 2018)
Cast: Romain Duris, Laure Calamy, Laetitia Dosch
Genre: Drama

Je ne rêve que de vous

February 15 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. In French, with English subtitles.

A strong and fascinating love story set against the backdrop of the tragic Nazi Occupation of France and those who aided and abetted it. 

1940. Jeanne Reichenbach abandons her comfortable life to tie her destiny irrevocably to that of Léon Blum, her one great love since a teenager. Blum is in grave danger, threatened by the arrival in power of those responsible for the French Collaboration. She'll follow him all the way to Buchenwald.

"The duo Hippolyte Girardot and Elsa Zylberstein bring together a truth and intensity in this exceptional love story supported with an inspired cast - Philippe Torreton as Pierre Laval and Jérôme Deschamps as Georges Mandel." - Le Parisien

Director: Laurent Heynemann (France 2019)
Cast: Elsa Zylberstein, Hippolyte Girardot, Émilie Dequenne, Mathilda May
Genre: Drama

Pauvre Georges!

February 21 at 8:45 pm ET/5:45pm PT. In French, with English subtitles.

A dark humor tragi-comedy about the upper middle class. Expertly performed.

Georges left France to settle with his wife out in the Quebec countryside. One evening, on returning from work, he surprises a teenage drop-out searching their house: Zack. Going against everyone's advice, Georges gets it into his head to save him.

''A psychological thriller not devoid of humor, Pauvres Georges! paints an uncompromising portrait of bourgeois hypocrites and attention-seekers. Subtle." - France Télévisions

Director: Claire Devers (France, Canada, Belgium 2018)
Cast: Grégory Gadebois, Monia Chokri, Noah Parker, Pascale Arbillot
Genre: Drama

Terrible jungle

February 23 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. In French, with English subtitles.

A wacky adventure comedy that is reminiscent of the great films of Pierre Richard. The hilarious punch lines are perfectly delivered by a three-star cast starting with Vincent Dedienne, Jonathan Cohen and Catherine Deneuve.

Eliott, a naive young adventurer, goes to Guyana in search of the mysterious hidden Otopis. But he'll soon find out that Otopis are not "noble savages", they are jungle gangsters, led by the fierce Albertine.

"Blending absurd, quirky humour with all the classic ingredients of the jungle adventure film..." - Cine Europa

Director: Hugo Benamozig, David Caviglioli (France 2020)
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Vincent Dedienne, Alice Belaïdi
Genre: Comedy

 

Victor & Celia

February 28 at 8:30 pm ET/8:30 pm PT. In French, with English subtitles.

A light and sparkling romantic comedy, with a surprisingly smart social commentary (themes of David and Goliath abound), which is surprisingly authentic.

Victor and Ben, in their thirties, have plans to open their own hairdressing salon. Victor manages to convince Célia, whom he knew while still at hairdressing school, to follow him on the adventure.

"Struggling with romantic and professional issues, the main protagonists navigate through tough times. But not the viewers, who laugh as much as they think in this well-rounded comedy." - 20 Minutes

Director: Pierre Jolivet (France 2019)
Cast: Arthur Dupond, Alice Belaïdi, Adrien Jolivet
Genre: Comedy

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