The 5 French Films to Watch on TV5Monde in December
You can't celebrate the holiday season without our selection of TV5Monde's December films! This month Omar Sy picks up his stethoscope in Knock, Christian Clavier and Catherine Frot become parents overnight, and a modern day Santa has an elf crisis.
Pays (2016)
December 2 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
Surprise! Revenge's Emily VanCamp can speak French, and she's embarked upon a role in an intense film that exposes a woman's strength when pushed to its limits. Robichaud's feminist drama feautures three powerful female leads wading the waters of treacherous career hierarchy.
Emily Price tries to balance family life and leading crunch negotiations between a Canadian politician and the president of a country whose natural resources are being exploited.
"There must be something in the Quebecois water supply that produces so many precociously gifted young directors like Chloe Robichaud..." The Hollywood Reporter
Directed by: Chloé Robichaud
Cast: Macha Grenon (Danielle Richard), Emily VanCamp (Emily Price), Nathalie Doummar (Félixe), Yves Jacques, Alexandre Landry, Serge Houde, Sophie Faucher, Rémy Girard
Genre: Drama
Run time: 1hr 40m
Knock (2017)
December 9 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
Unsurprisingly, dashing lead Omar Sy brings magic and charisma to an already whimsical town where small town charm and big time doctor meet; romance, intrigue, and suspense abound.
Former crook turned qualified doctor, Knock intends to make a fortune by moving to Saint Maurice. His motto: healthy people are just sick people who don't realise they are sick! A seducer and manipulator, Knock is about to achieve his aims when a shady individual from his past comes back to blackmail him...
"Levy has some fun with the incidental characters and her cast includes many stalwart character actors who give the film density. The period costumes, cars and settings are also nicely done and add to the visual appeal." - FilmInk
Directed by: Lorraine Lévy
Cast:Omar Sy (Knock), Alex Lutz (le curé Lupus), Ana Girardot (Adèle), Sabine Azéma (La Cuq), Pascal Elbé (Lansky), Audrey Dana (Mme Mousquet), Michel Vuillermoz (M. Mousquet), Christian Hecq (le facteur), Hélène Vincent (la veuve Pons)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime : 1hr 54m
Momo (2017)
December 16 at 8.30PM ET/5:30 PM PT, with English subtitles
The underhanded and spot on humor of Catherine Frot paired with Christian Clavier's unstappable energy makes the fast-paced and sharp dialogue in this film come to life and burst with belly laughs.
One evening, on their way home, Monsieur and Mrs. Prioux discover with amazement that a certain Patrick has settled in their home. This strange boy came back to his parents to introduce his wife. The Prioux, who have never had children, fall from the clouds ... especially since everything seems to prove that Patrick is their son. Is Patrick a mythomaniac? A manipulator? Did the Prioux forget that they had a child? Madame Prioux, who suffers from not being a mother, is she inventing a son?
"Finding Mom’ is a tender family comedy in the vein of ‘La Famille Belier’ which [has] a real universal appeal." Variety
Directed by: Vincent Lobelle, Sébastien Thiéry
Cast: Christian Clavier (André), Catherine Frot (Laurence), Sébastien Thiéry (Patrick), Pascale Arbillot (Sarah), Hervé Pierre (Jean-François)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1h 25m
Santa & Cie (2017)
December 23 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
It wouldn't be our Christmas edition without Santa & Cie, a recent charming and whimsical ode to Father Christmas and his merry band of elves up in his workshop in the North Pole. Audrey Tautou makes a mean Mrs. Claus as well.
It's nearly Christmas and things are going badly: the 92,000 elves tasked to make the children's presents are all taken sick at the same time! A problem for Santa Claus, who decides to visit Earth urgently to find a solution.
"A clever holiday comedy that just about nails the right mixture of offbeat humor and Yuletide cheer." - The Hollywood Reporter
Directed by: Alain Chabat
Cast: Alain Chabat (Santa), Golshifteh Farahani (Amélie), Pio Marmaï (Thomas), Bruno Sanches (Magnus/the boy elves), Louise Chabat (the girl elves), Audrey Tautou (Wanda), David Marsais (the inspector), Grégoire Ludig (the captain)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1hr 39m
Johnny, Made in France (2018)
December 25 at 11PM ET/8PM PT, with English subtitles
Brush up on your history of French culture with Johnny. Just released this year, see what the experts of today have to say about his personal life, his talent, and his influence.
9 December 2017. Johnny Hallyday's funeral service goes down in French history. Fans or not, the French recognize that the rocker symbolizes the country's deep post-war cultural changes, and that he was inextricably bound up in them. Various perspectives on one of the most popular singers of his generation.
"With plenty of archival material from concerts to interviews, this documentary will captivate Johnny Hallyday's fans, as well as give him the reconcilation he needs from his critics." - Femme Actuelle
Directed by: Nicolas Maupied, Virginie Parrot
Genre: Documentaire