The Five French Films to Watch on TV5MONDE in October
This October, through the beautiful documentary Nous Paysans and the sensual drama Revenir, TV5MONDE puts the spotlight on stories of rural French life.
L'école de l'impossible
October 3 at 8:40 pm ET/5:40 pm PT. In French with English subtitles.
A documentary on a lost young soul, saved by school and hope. An example of strength and compassion.
The director spent two years filming Saint-Martin high school in Seraing, Belgium. This ‘last-chance saloon’ welcomes struggling teenagers who have often been expelled from other establishments. During the documentary, the educational team tries to save these students from the downward spiral of fatalism and underachievement.
"A touching and raw documentary, which, with tenderness and humor, denounces the inequalities of a society, where school manages to create miracles." -RTBF
Director: Thierry Michel (Belgium 2019)
Genre : Documentary
Les sandales blanches
October 8 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. n French with English subtitles.
Based on the true story of an Algerian singer, the film carries a beautiful message of rebirth, painting a picture of the talent of singer Amel Bent embarking upon her career.
The true story of Malika Bellaribi, diva of the inner-city suburbs, French mezzo-soprano with Algerian roots. In the 1960s, when only a young girl, she survived a serious road accident. During her long and painful convalescence, nursed by the nuns of Saint-Vincent de-Paul, she discovers music and sacred song.
"An exemplorary and moving story." - Bulles de culture
Director: Christian Faure (France 2020)
Cast: Amel Bent, Naidra Ayadi, Mhamed Arezki, Stéphane Rideau, Théo Frilet, Laurence Joseph
Genre: Drama
Nous paysans
October 13 at 8:30 pm/ET/5:30 pm. In French with English subtitles.
This genuine documentary tries to reconcile rural France with life in the city, meshing the old and the new in harmony.
The true story of Malika Bellaribi, diva of the inner-city suburbs, French mezzo-soprano with Algerian roots. In the 1960s, when only a young girl, she survived a serious road accident. During her long and painful convalescence, nursed by the nuns of Saint-Vincent de-Paul, she discovers music and sacred song.
"Nous Paysans helps us discover all the richness and diversity of agricultural France, which represents not only our past, but also our future." - France TV
Director: Fabien Béziat (France 2019)
Narrator: Guillaume Canet
Genre: Documentary
Le coupable
October 21 at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. n French with English subtitles.
A story of missed destinies and an intelligent observation on the quest for happiness.
As Frédéric tries to instill a notional idea of ethics into his bored students, Éloïse, the school caretaker, is entangled in a conflictual relationship with her daughter Cassandra. Under the sway of an older man, who's both violent and possessive, the teenager also can't stand her mother's new boyfriend.
"For his third feature film, the Turkish-born filmmaker offers a tale in the form of an intimate reflection on life, the world, and human relationships." - Films Québec
Director: Onur Karaman (Canada 2019)
Cast: Isabelle Guérard, Sylvio Arriola, Camille Massicotte
Genre: Drama
Revenir
October 31 at 9:35 pm ET/6:35 pm PT. n French with English subtitles.
An authentic and sensual countryside drama. Jarring but ultimately radiant.
After twelve years away, Thomas finds his family in tatters: his brother dead, his mother hospitalized and his father as distant as ever. But now there's Alex, his six-year-old nephew living in the family farm with his mother, the stunning Mona. Together, they set about rebuilding.
"... a quietly moody rural drama of the sort that is the bread and butter of French art cinema. Its strong suits are its performances, its emotional honesty and, at 77 minutes, it is refreshingly concise." - ScreenDaily
Director: Jessica Palud (France 2018)
Cast: Niels Schneider, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Patrick d'Assumçao, Hélène Vincent
Genre: Drama