Centre national du cinéma et de l\'image animée (France): 16

In 2018, director David Kerr brought us Johnny English Strikes Again (2018), a spy action comedy that sees the return of MI7’s older and retired agents due to a cyber attack. Among them is Johnny English, now working as a geography teacher who secretly trains his students in espionage. With the other inactive agents out of commission, English is left to embark on the mission himself. He enlists the help of his former sidekick and MI7 clerk, Angus Bough, and together they gather their equipment – which includes explosive jelly babies and a tracker cleverly disguised as a Sherbet Fountain. Leaving behind their ...

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), an American action spy film written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, follows IMF agent Ethan Hunt as he races against time to stop a terror-for-hire group, the Apostles, from acquiring nuclear bombs. Two years after their leader Solomon Lane is captured, the Syndicate has reorganized and recruited extremist John Lark to carry out their plan of dismantling the existing world order. When Ethan’s attempt to retrieve the plutonium cores in Berlin fails and his team member Luther Stickell is taken hostage, he chooses to save his teammate but loses the cores to the Apostles. ...

Youth (2015) is a comedy-drama film by writer and director Paolo Sorrentino. This marks his second English-language work. The story follows septuagenarian friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle, who are currently vacationing at a luxurious spa in the Swiss Alps called Wiesen. Fred, a retired classical music composer, is approached by a representative for Queen Elizabeth II during their stay. The Queen wishes to grant him a knighthood and invites him to perform his popular composition ‘Simple Song #3’ at Prince Philip’s birthday concert. However, Fred declines the offer, stating that he has no interest ...

Éric Rochant’s French film, Möbius (2013), follows a Russian FSB operative as he races to take down an international money laundering scheme. The key to his success is American banker Alice, but the catch is that she is also being pursued by others. In this high stakes world of espionage, the operative must navigate through deceit and betrayal in order to uncover the truth and bring down a powerful Russian oligarch.

Directed by Frédéric Jardin, Sleepless Night (2011) is a thrilling French-language action film. Co-written by Jardin and Nicolas Saada, the movie stars Tomer Sisley, Adel Bencherif, Julien Boisselier, Serge Riaboukine, and Pom Klementieff. It premiered at the Toronto International ...

Largo Winch II (2011) is a thrilling French film based on the Belgian comic of the same name. Three years prior to his passing, Nerio Winch shares with his bodyguard, Freddy, that he has located his son, Largo, in a village in Burma. He instructs Freddy to follow him closely. Meanwhile, Largo saves villagers from a massacre perpetrated by General Min and his local militia. As he tends to the wounded with his partner Malunai, Frenchman Simon Ovronnaz arrives with survivors in tow. However, when Simon reveals he was hired by someone working for Min, the villagers turn on him and Kadjang suffers severe injuries after a confrontation with Largo. Consequently, Largo is ...

Il divo (2008) is a biographical drama directed by Paolo Sorrentino that delves into the life of former Italian Prime Minister, Giulio Andreotti. The film competed at the Cannes Film Festival and received the prestigious Jury Prize. It follows Andreotti’s political career, which was plagued by accusations of Mafia connections and scandalous events such as his seventh election in 1992, his unsuccessful attempt at becoming President, and his controversial trial in 1995. As the film begins, Giulio Andreotti reflects on his ability to endure a tumultuous political career, unlike his ...

The French crime film, The Second Wind (2007), helmed by Alain Corneau, follows the story of Gu – a notorious gangster who has recently broken out of prison. With all of the French police hot on his trail, Gu must make a swift exit from the country with Manouche, his beloved. In order to fund their escape, Gu seeks out one last job. However, things take a turn when a corrupt police officer sets him up and makes it seem like he betrayed his own team. Determined to clear his name and restore his honour, Gu will stop at nothing to achieve justice.

Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) is a French live-action/animated film directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker Luc Besson. The movie is based on Besson’s children’s book series, which includes Arthur and the Minimoys and Arthur and the Forbidden City. Set in Northeastern Connecticut during the year 1960, the story follows 10-year-old Arthur Montgomery as he lives with his grandmother Daisy on a quiet farm. His grandfather, Archibald, has recently gone missing and his parents are away searching for work. While listening to Daisy’s ...

The period thriller, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), follows the life of notorious murderer Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. Directed by Tom Tykwer and written in collaboration with Andrew Birkin and Bernd Eichinger, the film is based on Patrick Süskind’s novel of the same name. Grenouille’s story is told through flashbacks, beginning with his sentencing for his crimes. Abandoned at birth in a French fish market ...

Hell (2005) is a French film directed by Danis Tanović. Originally drafted by Krzysztof Kieślowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz, it was intended to be the second installment in a trilogy. The story takes place in Paris and follows three sisters: Celine, Anne, and Sophie. In one early scene, a woman and her young daughter (later revealed to be Celine) visit an office where they encounter two people: her father and a naked young man. Years later, after several chance meetings with Sebastian in their adulthood, a misunderstanding ...

The French comedy drama film, Happily Ever After (2004), explores the concept of fidelity through the intertwined storylines of three friends and their tumultuous relationships. The film gained popularity in North America after its English release, and is often praised for featuring a lengthy cameo by the talented Johnny Depp, who impressively speaks fluent French. The story begins with Vincent and Gabrielle playfully bantering at a bar. Despite the attention from other possible suitors, Vincent seems to have won over Gabrielle’s heart. However, their supposed game of courtship ...

Vidocq (2001) is a mystery film, directed by Pitof. Set in 1830 Paris, the story follows private investigator Eugène Vidocq as he pursues a mysterious figure donning a cowl and mirrored mask. Their encounter leads Vidocq to a glass factory where they engage in a brutal fight that ultimately ends with Vidocq dangling from the ledge of a furnace room. In a desperate attempt to uncover his attacker’s identity, Vidocq begs him to reveal his face before succumbing to his fiery fate. Learning of Vidocq’s death, journalist Étienne Boisset seeks out his colleague René Nimier for information on his past to write his ...

The indie film Arizona Dream (1993), written and directed by Emir Kusturica, follows Axel’s journey from New York City to Arizona for his uncle Leo’s wedding. After being convinced by his cousin Paul, Axel agrees to stay in Arizona and take over the family business of selling Cadillacs. Along the way, he meets two intriguing women: Elaine, who dreams of building a flying machine, and her stepdaughter Grace, who longs to be reincarnated as a turtle. In one memorable scene, Axel and Paul struggle with Grace’s stubborn pet turtle during dinner while she floats in a levitating chair with a smile on her ...

The French film All The Mornings of the World (1991) is an adaptation of Pascal Quignard’s book of the same name. It tells the story of aging court composer Marin Marais, who reflects on his former master, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe – an unmatched viol player and strict Jansenist. Following his wife’s death, Sainte-Colombe finds solace in his music, raising his two daughters on his own and teaching them to play instruments. They form a consort and perform for nobles in their local area. Eventually, word of Sainte-Colombe’s talent reaches King Louis XIV and an envoy named Caignet is sent to ...

The film Nocturne indien (1989), helmed by director Alain Corneau, is an adaptation of Italian author Antonio Tabucchi’s novel Notturno Indiano. It follows the story of a Frenchman who embarks on a journey in India to find his missing friend, encountering intriguing characters and discovering the wonders of this captivating country along the way.