Our March Selection of French Films on TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand
This March, TV5MONDE Cinema On Demand has a heart-pumping lineup of thrillers that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats! Travel back to 1970’s Marseille with La French, starring Jean Dujardin as a judge who goes up against a gang of drug traffickers, or check out Au nom de ma fille, based on the true story of a father desperate to uncover the truth about his daughter’s death.
Au nom de ma fille
In French with English subtitles. Available from March 19.
A particularly moving film featuring Daniel Auteuil in one of the most beautiful roles of his career.
Based on a true story, 14-year-old Kalinka Bamberski is found dead at her mother’s new house in Germany. Kalinka’s father is determined bring the killer to justice in a lonely quest that will cross borders and barriers.
"An interesting and intense film that lets the viewer make its own conclusions through a very agile ending." - Cinegarage
Director: Vincent Garenq (2015)
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Sébastien Koch, Marie-Josée Croze
Genre: Thriller
La French
In French with English subtitles. Available from March 12.
Inspired by the gritty cinema of Martin Scorsese, Cédric Jimenez directs an ambitious gangster film on the mafia, which raged in Marseilles in the 1970.
Marseilles, 1970’s. Judge Pierre Michel joins an organized crime unit and sets his sights on the brutal drug gang, La French. Despite numerous warnings, Michel will stop at nothing to take down the gang and their untouchable leader, Zampa.
"The movie's strength is in its conception of Michel and Zampa, who develop a destructive rivalry, rooted in their mutual determination to prove their superiority." - Nashville Scene
Director: Cédric Jimenez (2013)
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Gilles Lellouche, Céline Sallette
Genre: Thriller
R.I.F.
In French with English subtitles. Available from March 19.
A gripping yet classic plot, strong and complex characters, and two remarkable actors (Yvan Attal, Pascal Elbé) are all included in this thriller directed by a former cop.
When his wife disappears on vacation, Captain Stéphane Monnereau seems to be the prime suspect. To avoid being arrested, Stéphane flees with his son and decides to investigate the disappearance himself.
"R.I.F., from today, will designate a rarity in the French cinematographic landscape... a surprising thriller, tense, embodied by expert actors, and showcases very genuinely the life of a cop." Le Monde
Director: Franck Mancuso (2010)
Cast: Yvan Attal, Pascal Elbé, Talid Ariss
Genre: Drama
L'enfance du mal
In French with English subtitles. Available from March 19.
A psychological thriller with ambiguous and chilling characters, influenced by the great classics of film noir.
Céline, 15, ran away from home and finds refuge in an outbuilding on the property of a bourgeois couple. When she is discovered, she begs the couple to take her in, but they begin to suspect her presence is no accident.
"Olivier Coussenacq’s moody thriller-drama is certainly watchable and intriguing, and driven ably at times by a mermerising performance by young actress Anais Demoustier as the sweetly manipulative Celine." - Screen Daily
Director: Olivier Coussemacq (2010)
Cast: Anaïs Demoustier, Pascal Greggory, Ludmila Mikaël
Genre: Drama
Le guetteur
In French with English subtitles. Available from March 26.
A gripping and vigorous manhunt at the heart of a story told in bits and pieces, perfectly maintaining the suspense and mystery until the end.
Captain Mattei launches a massive manhunt in search of the sniper that wounded several officers and foiled his plan to arrest a notorious group of bank robbers.
"Cops, snipers and serial killers, oh my!" - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Michele Placido
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Mathieu Kassovitz, Olivier Gourmet
Genre: Drama