There’s nothing quite like watching movies. They transport us to another world and help us forget about our daily woes. Whether you prefer action films or suspense, romance or comedies, scary movies or dramas, there is something for everyone. If you are tired of watching the same old Hollywood productions and want to watch something a little more foreign, then you are reading the right article. We’ve compiled a list of 15 award-winning francophone films that everyone should watch at least once in their lives. These films will make you laugh and cry and will probably teach you more about French culture than any language class you’ve ever taken. We guarantee you’ll be entertained but you will also practice your French at the same time. It’s a win-win situation! Happy movies!
1Grave (2016)
If you enjoy horror films then this is the movie for you. Grave (Raw) is a French-Belgian film directed by Julia Ducournau. The film premiered at the Cannes Festival in 2016 and was critically acclaimed although the graphic content did cause a bit of controversy. The film stars Garance Marillier who plays a young vegetarian in her first year at veterinary school. She is forced to eat meat during a hazing ritual at school and quickly develops a taste for raw (human) meat…If you are intrigued with cannibalism and don’t mind gore and violence then watch this horror film.
2Les Enfants du Paradis (1945)
This black and white French film was filmed during the German occupation of France during World War II. It was directed by Marcel Carné and stars Arletty, Jean-Louis Barrault, Pierre Brasseur, Marcel Herrand and Pierre Renoir. The film is set during the 1820s and 1830s Parisian theatre scene. Garance (Arletty) is a beautiful courtesan who is courted and loved in very different ways by four men (a mime artist, an actor, a criminal and an aristocrat). This three-hour long movie was voted Best Film Ever in 1995 by cinematic professionals and is known as the French answer of the American classic Gone With the Wind.
3J’ai tué ma mère (2001)
J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother) is Xavier Dolan’s (who is only 29 years old!!) directorial debut. This biographical drama tells the story of the complicated and hostile relationship between Hubert and his mother Chantale. Hubert has a difficult relationship with his mother and barely talks to his father since his parents divorced when he was younger. After a fight in the car on their way to Hubert’s school, he tells his teacher his mother is dead. After the teacher realizes it’s a lie, Hubert decided to write a school essay titled “I killed my mother”. Dolan was only 19 when he directed this film so there are some inconsistencies but it is still well worth the watch.
