French Language Cinema

CertUnclassified

Age group8–15

Duration6 mins

Louis' Shoes(2020)

An autistic eight-year-old boy introduces himself to his new school class.

Distinctly animated in a way that helps audiences empathise with Louis, a young boy on the autistic spectrum, this film uses both images and language to create a visually compelling story – a fantastic template for discussion around a challenging subject such an autism with the French language sprinkled throughout.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration83 mins

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales...(2017)

A trio of animated short stories involving a bunch of witty farmyard animals.

Originally conceived to be three 30-minute television episodes, these interlinked stories all take place on a farm somewhere in France that is completely run by animals. Alongside the Fox, there are also stories containing a clumsy rabbit, an immature duck and a smart little pig, making this perfect for students studying animals in French.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration77 mins

Ernest and Celestine(2012)

A beautiful animation about an unlikely friendship between a big clown bear and a clever orphan mouse, from the makers of A Town Called Panic!

Based on a series of children’s books from Belgium, written and illustrated by Gabrielle Vincent, the visuals in this film take their cue from the gorgeous watercolour images of its source material. Friendship and tolerance is explored through a lovingly rendered prism of an exciting adventure story for the ages.

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration87 mins

Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion(2018)

Best friends Asterix and Obelix accompany their village druid on his search for a successor to teach the secrets of his magic potion.

The Asterix comics contain some of France’s most beloved and well-known characters and this animated film brings them to life. Blending history and fantasy, it follows the famous Gauls as they go on one of their many exciting and preposterous adventures across the terrain of ancient France.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration76 mins

Zarafa(2012)

Stunning animation about a young Sudanese boy’s escape from slave traders and his incredible and perilous journey to Paris with an orphaned giraffe.

Take a trip back to a time when the hot air balloon was the most exciting new invention in the world in this remarkable true story. This animated adventure follows an incredible journey between Africa and France, featuring a touching friendship between a boy and a giraffe, as well as providing a gentle introduction to tougher themes such as slavery.

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration88 mins

Petit Nicolas(2009)

A hilarious French comedy about young Nicolas whose parents consider abandoning him in a forest when they learn they are expecting a baby!

The story of Little Nicholas takes its cue from a popular series of novels in France that present an idealised version of 1950s Paris. Nicolas and his friends are cheeky and relatable enough for any kind of audience all around the world to relate with as they embark on their wacky adventures.

Cert

Age group12+

Duration79 mins

Tomboy(2011)

A beautifully understated, naturalistic drama about childhood gender identity confusion that’s both touching and gently humorous.

The secret lives of children can sometimes seem so foreign for older audiences but Celine Sciamma’s sweet tale of a young girl’s exploration of her identity succeeds in being intimate and informative without looking down on its characters. A film that uses simple but effective dialogue in French and is bound to create discussion in a classroom situation.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration62 mins

Une Vie De Chat (A Cat in Paris)(2011)

Enchanting and thrilling animation about a Parisian cat with a double-life.

Paris has always been the crown jewel of locations in French cinema and this hugely stylish animation paints it as a city of opposites. Beautiful and dangerous in equal measure, its also a film that feels entwined with French culture, perfect for introducing young audiences to one of the great national cinemas.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration81 mins

Tales of the Night(2011)

Complete with werewolves, magical instruments, sorcerers and mythical beasts, this French animation captures the enchantment of storytelling.

Made through the unique and almost forgotten process of silhouette animation, Tales of the Night looks and feels like it is from a different time. Join two friends as they settle down to hear six stories from the local cinema projectionist and get transported to another era, one of pure magic.

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration79 mins

Boule Et Bill (Boule & Bill)(2013)

A quaint period comedy about the friendship between a boy and his beloved Cocker Spaniel, based on a popular and long running French comic strip.

One of the easiest things for audiences around the world to connect with is the relationship between a child and their pet. In this case, Boule rescues his spaniel Bill and they form an immediate bond. Perfect for French lessons about pets and the household, Boule et Bill is a nonstop, and very chaotic, adventure.