The Five French Films to Watch on TV5Monde in July

In July, TV5MONDE offers a few films that bring summer to life, including Chamboultout, Damien veut changer le monde, and Alpine detective series Le pont des oubliés.

 

Mon cher enfant (2018)

July 9 at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT, in French with English subtitles

In a naturalistic style reminiscent of the Dardenne brothers (the film's producers), Mohamed Ben Attia directs a powerful feature film which avoids any self-righteousness on the difficult subject of radicalization while telling the story of a father's fight to save his child.

Riadh is about to retire from his work as a forklift operator at the port of Tunis. The life he shares with his wife Nazli revolves around their only son Sami, who is preparing for his high school exams. The boy's repeated migraine attacks are a cause of much worry to his parents. But when he finally seems to be getting better, Sami suddenly disappears.
"Remarkable for the quietness of its approach, its rich, calm, generous characterizations, and the compassion it evokes for extremism's more indirect victims." - Variety

Director: Mohamed Ben Attia
Cast: Mohamed Dhrif (Riadh Saïdi), Mouna Mejri (Nazli Saïdi), Zakaria Ben Ayyed (Sami Saïdi), Imen Cherfi (Sameh)
Genre: Drama

Le pont des oubliés (2019)

July 17 at 8.30 PM ET/5.30 PM PT, in French with English subtitles

A mysterious thriller set on a mountain range, skillfully experiments with natural Alpine set design that is both reassuring and disturbing.

The former primary school teacher in a small Alpine village is suspected of murdering a shepherd. A few years earlier he had revealed her relationship with a minor, ending her career. Was it revenge? Inspector Marion Guichard and Fred Roos, wildlife control officer, will have to pierce the villagers' secrets.

"We are easily enraptured in the investigation. The performance of Dounia Coesens is particularly memorable." - Télé 7 jours 

Director: Thierry Binisti
Cast: Hélène Seuzaret (Marion Guichard), Nicolas Gob (Fred Roos), Dounia Coesens (Émilie Magnan), Jérôme Anger (Jérôme Pessac), Marie Guillard (Sabrina Angeli), Charles Crehange (Valentin)
Genre: Thriller

 

Damien veut changer le monde (2019)

July 19 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, in French with English subtitles

A big success with critics, this engaging and sincere comedy, which is never holier than thou, is carried by the natural generosity of Franck Gastambide.

Damien and his sister Melanie lived a happy childhood yet shaken by the constant battles 

led by their militant parents. After the sudden death of their mother, the rebellious spark of the family went off. 20 years later, Damien is an educator in primary school. When one paperless kid is about to be expelled out of the country with his mother, he decides to tell the authorities he is the father. Soon he convinces his sister, now a fierce business lawyer, and his best friend Rudy to join the fight. Together, they will do anything to help kids from being sent back in their dangerous countries, even if it means adopting many more.

"The friendly and amusing nature of events, the quality of the primary performances (and those by supporting character such as Gringe and Patrick Chesnais) and the deliberately optimistic tone of an approach to a subject matter that is often overdramatised give this film a good dose of charm." - Cineuropa

Director: Xavier de Choudens
Cast: Franck Gastambide (Damien Mallet), Camille Lellouche (Mélanie Mallet), Patrick Chesnais (Vigo Mallet), Gringe (Rudy Alvares), Melisa Sözen (Selma), Liliane Rovère (Mrs. Lopez), Youssef Hajdi (Marco)
Genre: Comedy

Chamboultout (2019)

July 23 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, in French with English subtitles

A feel good ensemble comedy with some spicy moments, indeed pushing the boundaries of what is politically correct. An extremely beautiful film on friendship from the same director of the much loved Barbecue et Bienvenue à Bord.

Beatrice, a vivacious, pretty woman in her forties, has just written a book where she tells the story of her new life with her husband Frederic. For the past five years, following a scooter accident, Frederic has been blind and has had major side effects: he says everything on his mind without filtering himself in a totally unpredictable way. It’s the summer, and the couple heads out to the Basque country with their kids and gang of friends. Even if Beatrice took care to change the names in her book, old quarrels and secret jealousies are revived. Frederic is not the only one lacking filters.

"[The movie] reflects the misunderstandings, jealousies, and resentments that are commonplace in every social group, which allows viewers to recognize and identify themselves with the characters with ease." - Fotogramas

Director: Eric Lavaine
Cast: Alexandra Lamy (Béatrice Mazuret) José Garcia (Frédéric Mazuret), MichaëlYoun (Fabrice), Anne Marivin (Nadia)
Genre: Comedy
 


Debout sur la montagne (2019)

July 26 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, in French with English subtitles

A film in a class all its own about 30 somethings in need of some spice in their lives. Somewhere between quirky, small town comedy and fantasy.

Hugo, Stan and Bérénice grew up together and then grew apart. They were once inseparale. Fifteen years later, they meet again as adults. But life has been tough on them. Will they reignite the sparks of their childhood?

"A quaint metaphysical tale with modest ambitions and fantastic special effects, this is a spellbinding film with pure..." - Sud Ouest

Director: Sébastien Betbeder
Cast: William Lebghil (Stan), Izïa Higelin (Bérénice), Bastien Bouillon (Hugo Sauvage), Jérémie Elkaïm (Pierre Sauvage), Guillaume Labbé (Baptiste), Estéban (Dimitri), Laetitia Spigarelli (Anna)
Genre: Dramatic comedy

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