Watching TV and films in French is one of the most engaging and effective ways for language learners to improve their skills.
It not only exposes authentic language use, including natural pronunciation, colloquial expressions, and cultural nuances that are absent from textbooks, but it also hones your listening skills, one of the most neglected during other study methods.
Hearing native speakers in context helps to develop an ear for the rhythm, intonation, and flow of the language, which is crucial for improving listening comprehension.
It also helps you gain a greater cultural insight into France, allowing you to connect on a deeper level with the people around you.
Below are some recent or popular films and TV series that will make for good February watching.
As always, watching in French with French subtitles is a good method if you are struggling to keep up. Using English subtitles can also be helpful if this is still too difficult for you, as long as you mainly focus on the audio.
Les Traducteurs
Les Traducteurs is an interesting film for language learners to watch, as it offers insight into how the translation process takes place.
The film centres around a group of translators working on the highly anticipated final book of a successful book series.
The story unfolds when the manuscript of the novel is leaked to the public, and the translators are held captive in a bunker by a mysterious figure.
They must work together to find out who is behind the leak and why they are being targeted, all while they continue translating the final pages of the book.
It is available on Netflix in France, and includes a performance from Alex Lawther, a British actor who is fluent in French despite growing up in the UK.
Read more: Netflix price increases: are viewers in France impacted?
Jouer avec le feu
Jouer avec le feu (Playing with Fire, although the film's title has been translated as The Quiet Son in English) is a new film, opening in French cinemas on January 22, and has been a hotly-anticipated affair.
It follows a widowed father and his two sons as one becomes dangerously obsessed with the aggressive ideas of the extreme-right.
Directed by two sisters, Delphine and Muriel Coulin, this film does not shy away from approaching difficult subjects, forcing the audience to contemplate the uncomfortable truth of how such views can make their way into a family dynamic.
It is based on the book 'What You Need from the Night' by Laurent Petitmangin.
Vincent Lindon, who plays the father, received the award for best actor at the 2024 Venice Film Festival where it debuted.
Ici tout commence
Ici tout commence (Here It All Begins) is a fictional French television series that premiered in 2020 and focuses on the culinary and hospitality world.
The series is set primarily at the Institut Auguste Armand, a prestigious culinary school located in the south of France.
It follows the students and teachers who work and study there; the main character, Maxime Delcourt, is an ambitious and talented young man who dreams of becoming a renowned chef.
Throughout the series, he faces personal and professional challenges in the culinary world, while developing relationships with his peers and dealing with conflicts within the school.
It is available on both Netflix and the TF1 TV channel.
Quotidien
If you prefer talk shows then Quotidien, hosted by Yann Barthès, could be the answer.
The daily show - as the name suggests - focuses on providing a humorous and insightful take on daily news and current events.
It covers a wide range of topics, from politics and social issues to entertainment and celebrity gossip.
The show is known for its lighthearted yet critical approach to the news and frequently features interviews with celebrities, political figures, and experts.
These interviews are often informal but engaging, with Yann Barthès asking thought-provoking questions that mix seriousness with humor.
It is available on TF1.
Read more: What are some good radio shows to learn about French culture?
Coco avant Chanel
Coco before Chanel is a biographical drama about the early life of the legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel, portrayed by Audrey Tautou.
The movie focuses on Gabrielle Chanel’s life before she became the fashion icon known as Coco Chanel.
It shows her humble beginnings in an orphanage, her work as a seamstress, and her relationships with key individuals who helped shape her career.
The film highlights her drive for independence and her revolutionary approach to fashion.
The film is now almost 15 years old, but still widely adored. It is available on Amazon Prime.
