Shows
Ourika (The Source)
Crime -Action
Ourika, or The Source, is an Amazon Original and takes place during the 2005 Paris riots. It pits the young head of a crime family against a young ambitious police agent. So again a French crime show. You get the message
It is a pretty intense show and a times features heavy violence and action. The intensity makes for a good show but is not very suitable for good language learning. The dialogues are sometimes a little simple, but especially for beginners can be a good way to repeat vocabulary. And the characters on the show often talk very informal with each other, which is a good way to practice this kind of language.
The Source has 7 episodes, each lasting about 50 minutes, which gives enough time to practice your French, but it’s not a lot.
Alphonse
Comedy – Drama
Alphonse, played by Jean Dujardin, is an average man leading a mundane life until he encounters a series of strange events that drastically change his reality. The plot often takes unexpected turns, with Alphonse navigating through a world that becomes increasingly surreal and unpredictable.
I think this kind of comedy is where the French excel. Strange surreal situations in which the protagonist is a kind of victim. French actors play the victim very well. But although the show has funny moment, it’s also quit a downer and there’s not always something to laugh about.
Still, the dialogue is perfect for learning French. The situations are very standard, like someone visiting the hospital or people making conversation over dinner. The characters speak on informal terms, but not like their teenagers. All in all, Alphonse is pretty suited for learning French.
ORELSAN: Montre jamais ça à personne (ORELSAN: Don’t ever show this to anyone)
Documentary – Drama
Aurelien Contentin, or known by his stage name Orelsan, is one of the most famous French rappers from the early 2000s. The documentary ORELSAN: Don’t ever show this to anyone was specially made by Amazon Prime to show the rise of one of the biggest French musicians. The documentary follows him from his youth in Caen where he meets the friends who will accompany him throughout his career to his success in rap.
What is unique about this documentary is that it was made not by a professional documentary maker but by Orelsan’s brother Clement during their lives. Footage is used from decades ago that shows how French teenagers lives and talked back then. This gives it a truly behind the scenes feel. Just the amount of film just showing French teens talking informally with each other makes this documentary a must-watch.
It’s more real than any other show you can watch on a streaming platform. The dialogue between people isn’t scripted to further a story. It’s just people talking with each other.
Totems (2021 -)
Spy – Adventure – Drama
Totems centers around a young French scientist, Francis Mareuil, who is recruited by the French Secret Service to work as a spy. His mission takes him into the heart of the Cold War, where he is tasked with uncovering Soviet secrets. Totems is filled with classic spy/thriller suspense, and it can compete easily with more known American and English spy shows. It honestly is pretty good. The makers of the show capture the tense atmosphere of the height of the Cold War very well. If you like spy shows, this is for you.
But when it comes to learning French, it suffers a bit from the lack of dialogue and the type of conversations the characters have. It is often more formal French and the type of conversation you learn in school, while TV shows are perfect for learning informal French. Also, I noticed that the high suspense of the show interferes a bit with studying the dialogue.
LOL, qui rit, sort (“LOL: Whoever Laughs, Gets Out!)
Comedy – Reality
Originally a Japanese show, in LOL, qui rit, sort ten comedians or humorists are put together in big room. The challenge is for them to make the others laugh while not laughing themselves. The winner receives 50,000 euro for their charity.
So, this is an odd one out. It’s more a reality program and completely focused on what is supposed to be humor. But it can be fun and more importantly, there is no acting. This is how French people really speak to each other, which is important compared to acted shows which never show the specific quips French have.
Therefore we advise to at least give this shows a try to find out if you like it.
Movies
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan
History – Action
You probably know the story of d’Artagnan from earlier films. The young and ambitious noblemen arrives in Paris and quickly finds himself entangles in political intrigues. The story isn’t new, but a French alternative to the English versions still lacked. So here it is. It’s not the best film you will watch this year, but if you like history, it is entertaining.
The problem with film in general, is that the subject of the film changes quite rapidly. Where a show can have 8 times an hour to portray a story, a movie often only has two hours. The French d’Artagnan movie has the same problem. It’s entertaining but for learning French maybe not so suitable. Combine this with the often historical topics the characters talk about and the sometimes very formal language and I think The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan is well suited for a nice film night and not so much for studying French.
Mind you, for this show we couldn’t find French subtitles in our place of residence.
The Infallibles (2024)
Action – Comedy
Nice simple action comedy. Great camera work, as French shows often have. The Infallibles is the classic buddy cop comedy you probably know from Hollywood. The French pour their own unique comedic flavour on this, and if you like it, you will have a good time watching this.
The French is simple and easy to follow, and there is enough dialogue in the movie to learn something new or get used to French. We like it.
La sincérité (2017)
Romance – Drama/Comedy
La sincérité tells a bit strange story about a man that decides to make a film to seduce the young actress Louise. He receives help from four friends, and eventually they start to get feelings for each other.
So, this is uniquely French kind of movie that is more like a slice of life as the French like to see it then any other kind of movie. Lots of shots of people eating at a table in the countryside, people lying at the beach and just basically people talking to each other. It’s not very funny or very dramatic although there is some romance involved.
This kind of movie can be boring if you are not into it, but you should at least try it. The only problem is the lack of French subtitles, which often helps understanding the French if you are a beginner.
Overdose
Action – Thriller – Crime
Commander Sara Bellaïche of the Toulouse police and Richard Cross of the Paris police are forced to work together in a murder case. This is the typical action crime film from the legendary French director Olivier Marchal. The plot is fine, the action is well done and the actors very good. Although, it misses something to stand out.
Still, the problem with these movies for learning French is that the dialogue is always short and pretty aggressive. Characters are most of the time tense and in action mode and running or shooting or something. It’s great cinema, but for learning purposes its not necessarily helpful. Still, it can be a great way to practice your French in a passive way.
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