Celebrate Francophone Films with powerful stories from across the French-speaking world.
As summer winds down, TV5MONDE turns up the heat with a compelling curation of francophone films that dive into memory, migration, motherhood, and more. In honor of the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival (August 25–30), many of these titles are festival standouts and exclusive premieres.
Here are the must-watch films airing throughout August—available on TV5MONDE USA and TV5MONDEplus, with English subtitles.
Arrête avec tes mensonges
Airs August 5 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Adapted from the bestselling autobiographical novel by Philippe Besson, Arrête avec tes mensonges is a moving exploration of memory, desire, and unfinished business. Directed by Olivier Peyon, the film stars Guillaume de Tonquédec as Stéphane Belcourt, a novelist who returns to his hometown and unexpectedly reconnects with the son of his first love. With a strong emotional core and evocative performances—particularly from Jérémy Gillet and Victor Belmondo—this tender drama has resonated with audiences worldwide.
Les survivants
Airs August 10 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus
In this gripping Alpine-set drama from Guillaume Renusson, Denis Ménochet delivers a brooding performance as Samuel, a man retreating from life in a remote chalet. When a young Afghan woman named Chehreh (Zahra Amir) appears at his door, seeking passage across the border, the film becomes an emotionally charged journey through empathy and moral reckoning. A festival favorite, Les survivants was honored with Best Feature at Italy’s RIFF and selected by Angoulême, Cinémania, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Pauline grandeur nature
Airs August 12 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus
Balancing motherhood and career has rarely felt as chaotic—and relatable—as it does in Pauline grandeur nature. This sharp Swiss-Belgian comedy by Nadège de Benoit-Luthy follows Pauline (played with warmth and wit by Déborah François), a landscape designer struggling to keep it together after her mother suddenly decides to move abroad. Faced with the biggest professional opportunity of her life and no one to help with childcare, Pauline teeters on the edge of burnout in a comedy that finds heart in the everyday.
Anti-squat
Airs August 17 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus
Tapping into timely housing issues and economic precarity, Anti-squat is a razor-sharp social drama directed by Nicolas Silhol. Louise Bourgoin plays Inès, a single mother on the brink of eviction who accepts a job managing tenants in an unusual program that places people in empty office buildings to prevent squatting. As her responsibilities deepen, the line between enforcer and exploited worker begins to blur. Selected at Angoulême in 2023, this tense and thought-provoking film offers a chilling look at modern survival systems.
Cigare au miel
Airs August 1 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus
Set in 1990s Algeria during the rise of radical Islamism, Cigare au miel tells the story of Selma, a 17-year-old coming into her own within a secular Berber family. Played by Zoé Adjani in a breakout performance, Selma begins to question the patriarchal structures around her after falling for a boy named Julien. Directed by Kamir Aïnouz, the film skillfully weaves personal awakening with political unrest, earning a place in the Angoulême lineup.
De grandes espérances
Airs August 24 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
When an idealistic young couple, Madeleine and Antoine, find themselves involved in a tragic event on a remote Corsican road, their future in politics is forever altered. De grandes espérances, directed by Sylvain Desclous, dives deep into questions of ambition, loyalty, and moral compromise. With standout performances from Rebecca Marder and Benjamin Lavernhe, the film was well received at Angoulême and Festival des Arcs, and earned actor Marc Barbé an Audience Award at the Festival Jean-Carmet.
Le sixième enfant
Airs August 26 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus
In this emotionally charged and suspenseful drama, two couples—one struggling with poverty, the other with infertility—come to a quiet, life-altering agreement. Le sixième enfant, directed by Léopold Legrand, features poignant performances by Sara Giraudeau and Benjamin Lavernhe, and was lauded by critics upon release. It swept the Lumières de la Presse Internationale with multiple awards including Best First Film and Best Actress (shared by Giraudeau and Judith Chemla). A gripping story that raises difficult ethical questions.
Tempête
Airs August 31 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on TV5MONDE USA
Directed by Christian Duguay, Tempête is an uplifting drama about resilience, dreams, and the bond between a young girl and her horse. Mélanie Laurent and Pio Marmaï lead a talented cast in this family-friendly film about Zoé, a girl who dreams of becoming a jockey until an accident leaves her paraplegic. Years later, with unshakable determination, she dares to chase the impossible. Screened at Angoulême, Namur, and Cinémania, this feel-good story will leave viewers inspired.
Don’t Miss a Moment
Whether you’re in the mood for soul-searching drama, biting satire, or feminist coming-of-age stories, TV5MONDE’s August schedule delivers an exceptional slate of French-language films. Catch them live on TV5MONDE USA or stream anytime on TV5MONDEplus.
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