What to Watch in February

Each month, FrenchFlicks selects the best French films available on Canal+ International and Studiocanal through DIRECTV. In February, you’ll have plenty to choose from, including flicks showcasing laugh out loud comedies that poke fun at every day life, retro crime thrillers and of course, some steamy love stories for the most romantic month of the year.

 

CANAL+ INTERNATIONAL

A SPECIAL VALENTINE'S DAY WEEK COMING YOUR WAY!

FILMS (Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 PM EST)* :

CET AMOUR-LÀ (2001) on 02/12/2019tl_files/canalplus_international/article/cet amourla.jpg

Cet Amour-là is an intimate portrait of a legendary love affair. Set against the beauty of the Breton seaside, it is also a film that revels in the insights that Marguerite Duras' writing affords.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it -[nbsp]Nicknamed "The French Bette Davis", it's magical to see Jeanne Moreau display her signature rugged and wise approach to a character as tormented as Marguerite Duras. 

JE CROIS QUE JE L'AIME (2007) on 02/14/2019

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Sandra (Drew Sidora), a small town country girl, returns home after college to take over the family business, her father's beloved bed and breakfast. Facing an unfaithful husband and dysfunctional relationship with her mother, she finds herself at a difficult crossroads. Everything changes, however, when Terrance (Steven Sutton), a young, handsome lawyer checks in and opens her eyes to an entirely different life filled with happiness.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it - You root for Sandrine Bonnaire as her life goes south in so many different ways. Vincent Lindon is the perfect stranger that we all hope saves us this V-day.  

ENSEMBLE NOUS ALLONS VIVRE UNE TRÈS TRÈS GRANDE HISTOIRE D'AMOUR (2010)  on 02/15/2019tl_files/canalplus_international/article/ensemble nous allons.jpg

Dorothée and Nicolas are two lovers. They are convinced that their love story is perfect. However, it seems like the reality of life is a bit different…

Why FrenchFlicks likes it -[nbsp]Pascal Thomas has us pining away for Spring time. Marina Hands and Julien Doré remind us of the innocent and passionate young love we once knew. A colorful romantic comedy like no other, which will defnitely remind you of Amélie for its characters and the innovation of the cinematography.

INSOUPÇONNABLE (2010) on 02/05/2019

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A couple posing as brother and sister swindle an older man, which appears to be working - until the man's brother enters the picture.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it - With nods to Hitchcock alongside a deep and dark Bonnie and Clyde narrative, who wouldn't be intrigued? A twisted thriller in the French bourgeois society where no one really shows their true intention and everyone has something to hide.

 

LAISSEZ-PASSER (2001) on 02/08/2019

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In 1942, in Paris, the assistant director and member of the French resistance Jean-Devaivre joins the German studio Continental Films to be infiltrated and get a safe conduct. Along the years, he spies while making French movies produced by the Germans. Meanwhile, the wolf bourgeois screenwriter Jean Aurenche spends his shallow life with his three lovers - the artist Suzanne Raymond, the prostitute Olga and Suzanne's friend and costumes stylist - and trying to not collaborate with the Germans with his work.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it -[nbsp]France takes a page from Hollywood's book and embarks on a self reflexive true story. This one involves a heroic screenwriter refusing to deal with Nazi-controlled Continental films, and an assistant director linked to the resistance.

DU JOUR AU LENDEMAIN (2005) on 02/19/2019

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Life is very hard for Francois Berthier: a dog howls all night and keeps him awake, the coffee machine explodes in his face, it is raining, the head clerk in the bank where he works humiliates him and threatens to sack him. And then, overnight, everything that was violent or painful for Francois is miraculously transformed: the dog no longer howls, the coffee machine makes a delicious espresso, the weather is perfect, the head clerk at the bank apologises for having lost his temper the previous day. Why has the world suddenly become so sweet and enchanting? That is the enigma that Francois will try to solve.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it - Wouldn't it be great if one day you wake up and incredibly, everything just begins to go right for once? An everyman's dream takes shape in Du Jour au Lendemain, starring the talented Benoît Poelvoorde.

LA TOUR MONTPARNASSE INFERNALE (2001) 02/26/2019tl_files/canalplus_international/article/la tour montparnasse.jpg

Eric and Ramzy are working as window washers at the Montparnasse skyscraper in Paris. Thinking that he has a date set up with beautiful executive Marie-Joelle (who in reality hates his guts), Eric stays at work late while Ramzy hangs around with him. As a result, the pair witness a gang of terrorists seize the tower and take its late-night occupants (including Marie- Joelle) hostage. Knowing that only they can save the day, Eric and Ramzy swing into action.

Why FrenchFlicks Likes It – Get ready for some light jesting of the beloved American action movie from the French perspective. A bit of a retro alternative to Central Intelligence, starring The Rock and Kevin Hart.

HELLPHONE (2002) 03/01/2019tl_files/canalplus_international/article/Hellphone (1).jpg

A teenager feels an endless fascination for his cellular which will enable him to reach his aim: alluring the pretty high-school girl he's in love with. Unfortunately, this special "addiction" will not be without negative consequences on the behavior of the boy...

Why FrenchFlicks Likes It – Always good to have a campy, comedic horror option on the list. Mixed with teenage love, angst and AC/DC, it's a serious party in a film.

STUDIOCANAL

TENUE DE SOIRÉE (1986)tl_files/canalplus_international/article/tenue de soiree.jpg

Genre : Crime Drama
Director : Bertrand Blier

A bisexual petty criminal named Bob encounters a married couple arguing in a bar. Bob breaks up the fight and proceeds to seduce first the wife and then the husband. Then Bob teaches the couple how to be burglars and they join him in his criminal exploits.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it - Gérard Depardieu at his peak. The charming rascal that is Bob is the kind of bouyant, boisterous and eccentric character that made Depardieu a household name.

LE MARGINAL (1983)

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Genre : Thriller/Drama
Director : Jacques Deray

The story is about Commissioner Jordan who arrives in Marseille to combat drug trafficking activities in his own unique way.

Why FrenchFlicks likes it - For those that live to watch the renegade cop catch the bad guys in his own unorthodox way, this time honored tale is the action thriller for you. Jean-Paul Belmondo, at the height of his superstardom plays the smart, witty cop unlike any other who doesn't play by the rules.

 

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LE PRIX À PAYER (2007)

Genre : Comedy
Director: Alexandra Leclère

A wealthy businessman takes advice from his chauffeur on how to put the spark back into his marriage.

Why FrenchFlicks Likes It – On a completely different note, this raucous battle of the sexes comedy features a unique and jarringly relevant premise, begging the question of what role money plays within love, sex and happiness.

*All films are in French without subtitles.

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