Videos available streaming online:
French in Action – This series uses active participation to increase fluency in French, while introducing French culture. Pierre Capretz’s proven language-immersion method is presented within a humorous teleplay with native speakers of all ages and backgrounds. The storyline of an American student and a young Frenchwoman's adventures in Paris and the French countryside is reinforced by Dr. Capretz’s on-camera instruction.
(Students will need to register before accessing the material online)
http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html?pop=yes&vodid=784420&pid=682#
Videos available in the lab:
Movies:
8 Women – Academy Award nominee Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert and Fanny Ardant star in this outrageous mystery about a wealthy industrialist who has been found murdered in his home while his family gathers for the holiday season. The house is isolated in a snowstorm and the phone lines have been cut. Eight women are his potential murderers: his calculating wife, his two mischievous daughters, his meddling mother-in-law, his neurotic sister-in-law, his sexy sister, the faithful family cook and the sultry new maid. Each woman is a suspect. Each has a motive. Beautiful, tempestuous, intelligent, sensual and dangerous…One of them is guilty. Which one is it?
In French Audio with English Subtitles / 1 Hr. 51 Min. / Rated R
Aladdin – In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine from the schemes of the evil sorcerer Jafar. Aladdin’s whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery.
In French and Spanish Language Tracks / 90 Min. / Rated G
The Chorus – An inspirational story in the rich tradition of Music Of The Heart and Mr. Holland’s Opus, The Chorus has moved critics everywhere to declare it one of the year’s very best films! When he takes a job teaching music at a school fro troubled boys, Clément Mathieu is unprepared for its harsh discipline and depressing atmosphere. But with passion and unconventional teaching methods, he’s able to spark his students’ interest in music and bring them a newfound joy! It also puts him at odds with the school’s overbearing headmaster, however, locking Mathieu in a battle between politics and the determination to change his pupils’ lives!
In French with English Subtitles / 97 Min. / Rated PG-13
The Dinner Game – When Pierre decided to play a game to see who could bring the biggest idiot to a dinner party; he never imagined he’d be the one playing the fool. But when Pierre’s selfish ways come to light before the main course, he gets his just dessert.
In French with English Subtitles / 72 Min. / Rated PG-13
Indochine – Catherine Deneuve stars in this Oscar-winning tale of passion and revolution in colonial Vietnam. Deneuve stars as Eliane Devries, the seemingly repressed owner of a prosperous rubber plantation in French Indochina. Her steely exterior, however, is only a mask intended to hide her torrid love affairs from upper-class society. But when her adopted Indochinese daughter innocently falls in love with Eliane’s secret lover, the scandalous lovers’ triangle threatens to destroy their entire family. A sensual story of unbridled passion set against the violence of the bloody Communist uprising, Indochine is a historically accurate, emotionally wrenching epic of love and war.
In French with English, French, & Spanish Subtitles / 156 Min. / Not Rated
L’auberge Espagnole – Xavier is a straight-laced French college senior who moves to Barcelona as a part of a student exchange program, much to the dismay of his beautiful girlfriend Martine. But sharing cramped quarters with students from all over Europe quickly leads to multi-cultural chaos as Xavier gets a hilarious, eye-opening lesson on how to live, love, laugh… and party!
In French with English and Spanish Subtitles / 122 Min. / Rated R
Monsieur Ibrahim – Screen legend Omar Sharif is Monsieur Ibrahim, an elderly widower who owns a grocery store in a shabby, working-class section of Paris. His life takes on new meaning when he befriends Momo, a lonely teenage boy. In Ibrahim, Momo finds the father he never had, a patient man infused with kindness and a wisdom that he freely shares. And Momo awakens within Ibrahim a taste for grand adventure, which takes them on a journey that will change their lives forever.
In French with English, Portuguese & Spanish Subtitles / 95 Min. / Rated R
À La Mode – Audiences and critics across America cheered À La Mode, the deliriously sexy comedy praised for its style and light, infectious wit! You’ll fall in love with this charming, rags-to-riches tale of a young man whose uniquely original designs make him the rage of the fashion industry. And at the same time his sexy designs are winning over Paris, he’s winning the hearts of the city’s loveliest young women! Don’t miss this enchanting comedy – a lighthearted, sexy romp that’s sure to entertain you!
In French with English Subtitles / 89 Min. / Not Rated
Colonel Chabert – Ten years ago, history said he died a hero. Now Colonel Chabert is back to claim what’s rightfully his – but first he must prove he exists. Stunning performances highlight this lushly-photographed and lavishly-produced saga of passion, intrigue and betrayal amidst the splendor of the 19th century French society. Internationally acclaimed star Gerard Depardieu is mesmerizing as Chabert, returning from a decade of imprisonment to a society that shuns him and a wife who denies him. Robbed by fate of his wealth, his home and even his name, Chabert must fight for his honor and his future.
In French with English Subtitles / 111 Min. / Not Rated
Cyrano – One of the most famous romances of all time comes to brilliant life in this dazzling new film based on the world famous play. Gerard Depardieu, France’s most celebrated actor, gives the performance of his life as Cyrano De Bergerac, the 17th Century soldier-adventured who is secretly in love with the beautiful, young Roxane. Believing he is too ugly because of his grotesque nose to ever win Roxane, the eloquent Cyrano helps Christian, a tongue-tied soldier, to woo her with love letters. After many years Cyrano starts to tell Roxane the truth. But Christian is killed in battle and Cyrano feels compelled to keep his secret. Years later, Roxane living in a convent, still faithful to her husband Christian, is visited by her mortally wounded friend Cyrano. It is then that Roxanne realizes that it was Cyrano that she had loved all the time. His secret revealed, Cyrano dies as he had lived, heroically and fearlessly.
In French with English Subtitles / 138 Min. / Rated PG
Dead Tired – This uproariously upbeat comedy stars actor/writer/director Michel Blanc as both a mischievous celebrity impersonator…and a French movie star who’s being impersonated! Blanc’s the star whose life takes a hilarious turn when he’s hauled in by the police for a series of crazy incidents he can’t seem to recall. But when he learns that an imposter is out to ruin him, he enlists a sexy starlet friend to help him find his double and save his reputation! Also featuring Philippe Noiret and Roman Polanski, this brilliantly original comic delight was named Best Screenplay at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
In French with English Subtitles / 85 Min. / Rated R
Girl on the Bridge – Goodbye, cruel world… Adele’s off to join the circus. Not that she planned it that way. After a series of failed romances, the 22-year old waif aimed to end it all with a quick, cold plunge from a Parisian bridge. But there she meets Gabor, a struggling performance artist who needs a new assistant for his act. Gabor throws knives for a living – blindfolded. Giving a rumpled, wise performance that won him the César Award for Best Actyor, Daniel Autueil plays Gabor in filmmaker Patrice Leconte’s fairytale-like charmer about down-and-outers who became each other’s good-luck charm. Vanessa Paradis plays winsome Adele, finding new life in a new world of circuses, cruises, casinos and cabarets. She’s in luck. And so are fans of imaginative storytelling, shimmering visuals and light-hearted romance.
In French with English Subtitles / 92 Min. /Rated R
La Femme Nikita – Recruited against her will into a secret government organization by a sadistic man known only as Bob, Nikita is broken and remade. In three years, Bob transforms her into a sexy, sophisticated “lethal weapon” named Josephine. Released from the training compound, Nikita establishes a new identity as soon falls in love with Marco, a soft-spoken romantic. Six months later, she gets a call. She’s been activated. From that moment, Nikita is caught in a web of intrigue and murder – trapped in a double life as Marco’s lover and Bob’s hired gun. The trilling, provocative climax makes La Femme Nikita one of the most shocking and intelligent espionage adventures ever!
In French with English Subtitles / 117 Min. / Rated R
Ma Vie en Rose – Ludovic is waiting for a miracle. With six-year-old certainty, he believes he was meant to be a little girl – and that the mistake will soon be corrected. But where he expects the miraculous, Ludo finds only rejection, isolation and guilt – as the intense reactions of family, friends, and neighbors strip away every innocent lace and bauble. As suburban prejudices close around them, family loves and loyalties are tested in the ever-escalating dramatic turns of Alain Berliner’s critically acclaimed first feature. Winner of the Golden Glove for Best Foreign Language Film and a favorite at festivals around the world, this unique film experience delivers magic of the rarest sort through a story of difference, rejection, and childlike faith in miracles.
In French with English Subtitles / 89 Min. / Rated R
Ponette – Named the Best Foreign Film of the Year by the New York Film Critics Circle; Ponette stars 4-year old Victoire Thivisol, Winner of the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival, in the title role. Sent to live with her relatives, Ponette experiences the hopes, dreams and fears of a child following the loss of a parent. Ultimately, it is her faith, love and strength of the character that enables Ponette to triumphantly overcome her tragedy.
In French with English Subtitles / 92 Min. / Not Rated
The Eighth Day – From the makers of “Toto le Héros” comes a magical film that charmed the critics at the Cannes Film Festival. Harry is a successful executive who is failing miserably at life. Then he meets Georges, and irrepressible man who helps Harry remember how it feels to be alive. Featuring memorable, award winning performances by Daniel Auteuil and Pascal Duquenne, The Eighth Day is filled with warmth, humor, and unexpected surprises. At turns touching and hilarious, this is the film you’ll be recommending to friends for months to come.
In French with English Subtitles / 108 Min. / Not Rated
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – A long unseen triumph in cinematic beauty, Jacques Demy’s 1964 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prize Winner is available for the first time in this digitally remastered fully restored version. Dazzling sets brought to live by revolutionary use of color and music by Academy Award winner Michel Legrand’s classic unforgettable soundtrack, make this bittersweet love story on of the most beautiful films of all time. Catherine Deneuve stars in this ageless fairytale of doomed love. The restoration, long thought impossible due to faded prints, is now brought to you as a moving tribute by Demy’s widow, filmmaker Agnes Varda. Composer Michel Legrand produced the new Dolby stereo mixing.
In French with English Subtitles / 91 Min. / Not Rated
The Visitors – This outrageous time-travel comedy follows the misadventures of a wacky medieval knight and his faithful servant when they suddenly find themselves zapped into the present day! Mayhem rules as these 12th Century visitors try adapting to the wildly confusing modern world! To avoid being stuck here for good, however, they soon begin an all-out comic assault on their former castle – now a luxury hotel – in their quest to return. But you can be sure The Visitors won’t leave without first delivering nonstop laughs and outstanding comedy entertainment!
In French with English Subtitles / 107 Min. / Rated R
When the Cat’s Away – When the Cat’s Away is a purr-fect romantic comedy about a beautiful girl, her missing pet and her search for true love in Paris. Chloe has the single-girl blues. Feeling disconnected from her glamorous job as a high-fashion make-up artist, she decides that what she needs is a vacation. Entrusting her beloved pet cat-sitter, Chloe returns from her seaside holiday to find her feline companion missing. With the help of a hilarious cast of characters, she might just find her cat and a little romance along the way.
In French with English Subtitles / 91 Min. / Rated R