TF1 Films Production (France): 21

Luc Besson wrote, produced and directed Anna (2019), an action thriller film. The movie follows a young Russian woman named Anna who is trapped in an abusive relationship and desperate for a way out. Alex, a KGB agent, recognizes her plight and offers her a chance to become a field operative. After intensive training, she is informed that she will work under Olga, a senior handler at the KGB, for five years before being allowed to leave the agency and start anew. However, the new director of the KGB, Vassiliev, goes back on this agreement and sees former agents as liabilities rather than assets. He believes that death ...

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) is a space opera film written and directed by Luc Besson, with production by Virginie Besson-Silla, his wife. Based on a beloved comic book series, this new adventure movie has been a source of inspiration for generations of artists, writers, and filmmakers. Set in the twenty-eighth century, Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline are a formidable duo tasked with maintaining order in the human territories. Ordered by Defense Minister Herbie Hancock, they embark on a mission to Alpha – an ever-expanding metropolis ...

Promise at Dawn (2017) is a drama film directed by Éric Barbier, from a screenplay co-written with Marie Eynard. Appropriately set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico’s Day of the Dead festivities, Eric Barbier’s Promise at Dawn weaves a tale where the influence of deceased loved ones holds great weight, even in unexpected ways. Amidst the revelry, Vogue editor Lesley Blanch makes her way through the festive crowd to assist her husband, renowned writer Romain Gary. Though he believes his brain tumor ...

Paddington (2014), a live-action animated comedy film, was written and directed by Paul King. Based on Michael Bond’s beloved character Paddington Bear, the story was developed by King and Hamish McColl. In the depths of the Peruvian jungle, a British explorer comes across a group of bears with a love for marmalade. He dubs them Lucy and Pastuzo before bidding them farewell with an invitation to London. Forty years later, after their home is destroyed in an ...

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 ...

Unknown (2011) is an action-thriller film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The story follows Martin Harris and his wife Liz as they arrive in Berlin for a biotechnology summit. Upon arriving at their hotel, Harris realizes he has left his briefcase at the airport and hastily takes a taxi to retrieve it. However, the taxi is involved in an accident and ends up in the Spree, knocking Harris unconscious. Thankfully, the driver rescues him but quickly disappears from the scene. After four days in a coma, Harris regains consciousness at a hospital and rushes back to his hotel, only to find Liz with another man claiming to be ...

Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2009) is a fantasy adventure film, directed and co-written by Luc Besson. It is based on the third installment of Besson’s beloved children’s book series featuring Arthur.It has been two years since Arthur saved his grandparents’ home and the Minimoys from Maltazard’s evil grasp. During his holiday stay with his grandparents, the Bogo Matassalai, a fictional African society, gives Arthur various challenges to test his skills in camouflage and environmental nonviolence. After successfully completing these trials, Arthur plans to celebrate with the Minimoys. However, his father unexpectedly decides to take him ...

Valkyrie (2008), a thriller directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, features Tom Cruise. Set during World War II, the film follows Wehrmacht Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in Tunisia as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with Hitler’s regime. After his battalion is attacked by P-40 fighter-bombers, Stauffenberg is gravely injured and returned to Germany for treatment. However, he ultimately loses his left eye, right hand, ...

Largo Winch (2008) is a French action thriller film based on the Belgian comic book of the same name. In Hong Kong, Nerio Winch, the owner and majority shareholder of W-Group, is murdered by an unknown assailant on his yacht, the Neretva. The following day, the board of directors for W-Group meets with Ann Ferguson, Nerio’s trusted associate, to discuss the matter. It is revealed that Nerio had a secret son named Largo Winch who was raised by a French-Croatian family and kept hidden from everyone until his recent discovery. Skepticism arises among the members but they decide to bring Largo in to determine if he truly is Nerio’s heir. Meanwhile, Largo is in ...

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.

Anthony Zimmer (2005), a French romantic thriller film written and directed by Jérôme Salle, follows the story of a brilliant career criminal who is wanted by police worldwide. Evading authorities with his clever tactics, Zimmer legally launders money through fake corporations that file lawsuits against international companies. The elusive Zimmer is also on the run from the ‘White Collar Barons’, a powerful Russian mafia he once worked with. After undergoing plastic surgery, there is no known description of his appearance, making him even harder to catch. However, detective Akerman is determined to bring him ...

Set in Paris, Angel-A (2005) is a French romantic fantasy drama film written and directed by Luc Besson. In one scene, Andre describes himself through a voice over, revealing that he is currently in Paris but actually lives in America. Despite considering himself a good person, Andre admits to constantly lying, even to himself. The next moment, he is violently slapped to the ground by three thugs who demand their owed money. Later, Franck’s bodyguard holds Andre over the railing of the iconic Eiffel Tower and demands repayment for his debt as well. Desperate for help, Andre turns to both the American embassy and a ...

The French film, Empire of the Wolves (2005), helmed by Chris Nahon, tells the story of Anna Heymes, a stylish 31-year-old Parisian housewife. She is plagued by nightmares and visions connected to a string of brutal murders in the city. As authorities Schiffer and Nerteaux work to solve the case, Anna’s own discoveries add fuel to the fire. It turns out that she has undergone intense reconstructive surgery, concealing her Turkish heritage. As tensions rise and danger looms, Anna must face off against the Turkish mafia and her would-be killer.

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 ...

Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse (2004) is an action thriller helmed by director Olivier Dahan and produced by Ilan Goldman. This international co-production, involving France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, follows Chief Niemans as he delves into a string of ritualistic murders where the victims are crucified. To aid in his investigation, Niemans teams up with young officer Reda, who becomes involved when a disguised monk attempts to kill a man Reda had picked up off the street. With the help of a scholar in Christian mythology, they uncover the mysterious ...

The French film, Michel Vaillant (2003), stars Sagamore Stévenin and Diane Kruger. It tells the story of events surrounding the 24 hours of Le Mans race, which is based on a popular comic featuring the character, Michel Vaillant. The racing team, Vaillante, owned and operated by the Vaillant family has a rich history of success in various motor sports for many years. Michel Vaillant, the son of founder and owner Henri and younger brother of manager Jean-Pierre, is their most renowned driver. One night, Michel’s mother Élisabeth has a nightmare about her son’s ...

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 film, The Prince of the Pacific (2000), takes place on the island of Fenua Poerava, also known as ‘Pearl Island’, during the year 1918. A French military ship arrives with Captain Alfred de Morsac, a decorated soldier who has been awarded the Croix de Guerre. He has come to create a battalion of Ocean Skirmishers. Morsac embodies the bravery and resilience of a true hero, surviving for twelve days on nothing but a seagull carcass. His unwavering courage and sense of duty often lead him into reckless situations, though he remains immune to ridicule. Upon reaching the island, he encounters the Hiva people, ancient warriors under the oppressive rule of ...

The French thriller The Crimson Rivers (2000) stars Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. Detective Superintendent Pierre Niemans is sent to the small university town of Guernon in the French Alps to investigate a brutal murder. The victim, Remy Callois, was a professor and the university’s librarian. Niemans seeks out Dr. Cherneze, a local ophthalmologist, for an explanation about the removal of the victim’s eyes. According to Dr. Cherneze, the isolated setting of the school led to inbreeding among the professors, resulting in serious genetic disorders. However, this ...

The neo-noir horror thriller film, The Ninth Gate (1999), was directed, produced, and co-written by Roman Polanski. The main character, Dean Corso, is a rare book dealer from New York City who is hired by Boris Balkan, a wealthy collector. Balkan has obtained a copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows, a book believed to have been written by 17th-century author Aristide Torchia in collaboration with the Devil. Only three copies are said to have survived when Torchia and his works were burned for heresy. In order to determine the authenticity of one of these copies, Balkan wants Corso to inspect the other two. ...