Throughout August, the international French-language network TV5 Monde offers a rich lineup of entertaining films, series, and variety shows.

Discover our round-up of the must-see programs this month below.

TV5 Monde

Special event:

Festival du film francophone d’Angoulême – Cérémonie de clôture—September 5 at 11:30pm ET/8:30pm PT

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit, the closing ceremony for the Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême. Under the presidency of actress and director Kristin Scott Thomas this 17th festival, held from 27 August to 1st September 2024, offered an opportunity to pay tribute to the Moroccan film industry.

Genre: Awards Ceremony (France, 2024)

Films

La ligne droite—September 5 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

(English ST)

In celebration of the Paralympics

When Leïla leaves prison, she meets Yannick, an athlete who has just lost his sight. Running is the only discipline that he can still practice, with someone to guide him during training. Leïla, a former, top-level athlete, decides to help him.

Director: Régis Wargnier (France, 2010)
Cast: Rachida Brakni, Cyril Descours, Clémentine Célarié
Genre: Drama

La voie royale— September 8 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT (English ST)

Encouraged by her math teacher, a brilliant student leaves the family farm to attend a preparatory science class.

Director: Frédéric Mermoud (France, Switzerland, 2023)
Cast: Suzanne Jouannet, Marie Colomb, Maud Wyler
Genre: Drama
Awards: 2024 César Awards Most Promising Actress Nominee

Harragas—September 26 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus beginning September 4

The scene is Mostaganem, on the Algerian coast. This is the story of a group preparing to illegally cross the Mediterranean to try and reach Spain, which they see as an open door to the European Eldorado. Hassan, a people smuggler, sets about training ten ”illegals” from southern Algeria.

Director: Merzak Allouache (France, Algeria, 2009)
Cast: Nabil Asli, Seddik Benyagoub, Mohamed Takerret
Genre: Drama
Awards: 2009 Dubai Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize, Muhr Arab Special Jury Prize, and Human Rights Film Network Award; 2009 Valencia Mostra Golden Palm Tree Winner

Perdrix—September 29 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus:

Pierre Perdrix has been enjoying an enchanted though restless existence since the enigmatic Juliette Webb burst into his life. A stranger who landed in his family’s unique world like a meteorite, and who by her presence alone will force this tight-knit microcosm to redefine their boundaries and, finally begin to fully live their lives.

Director: Erwan Le Duc (France, 2019)
Cast: Swann Arlaud, Maud Wyler, Fanny Ardant, Nicolas Maury
Genre: Comedy
Awards: 2019 Bayard d’Or for Best First Work, The Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur

Series

Tout pour Agnès—September 10 & 17 at 11:30pm ET/8:30pm PT (French ST)

Season 1 premiere

Renée Le Roux runs the Palais de la Méditérranée, one of France’s leading casinos, with an iron fist. It may be an institution but it is in trouble, ruined by poor management and under attack from the competition.

Renée Le Roux has taken over as manager of the Palais. But when she refuses to appoint him general director, Maurice Agnelet vows revenge. He then sets out to win the heart of her daughter Agnès, she’s already in love with him and he knows it!

·Agnès Le Roux is missing, and no-one has seen her for four months. When Renée Le Roux raises the alarm, the police find a mysterious farewell note in the young woman’s flat that gives the impression she’s committed suicide. But her mother refuses to believe it.

The years pass and the investigation stagnates. Only Renée Le Roux continues the fight to discover the truth about Agnès’s death. Found guilty in the financial chapter of the case, Maurice Agnelet finds himself in prison.

Director: Vincent Garenq (France, 2023)
Cast: Michèle Laroque, Marie Zabukovec, Yannick Choirat, Christophe Favre
Genre: Drama

Documentaries

Jean de la Fontaine, l’homme qui aimait les fables—September 9 at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

Readers seemingly never tire of the gaiety and modernity of the ”Fables” by Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695). Updated in 1668, these texts have always been illustrated by artists, with striking images which help reveal the fable writer’s personality.

Director: Pascale Bouhénic (France, 2021)
Genre: Documentary, culture

Demain l’Afrique—September 11 at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

Raed Hammoud explores Dakar, Senegal, a city that combines elegance and hospitality. An opportunity to meet circus trainers and surfers, working to help the youngsters living on the streets. He also enjoys an opportunity to chat to artists, a rapper, and a designer, fascinated by Senegalese culture.

Director: Guillaume Beaudoin (Canada, 2023)
Host: Raed Hammoud
Genre: Documentary, travel

Azzedine Alaïa, un couturier français—September 24 at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of 50 years of Paris Fashion Week

From his birthplace of Tunisia to the Parisian Marais, where he set up his fashion house and workshops, the exceptional career of Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017), a farmer’s son who became a great French couturier. A look back at his formative years and triumph, in the 1980s, thanks to figure-hugging outfits.

Director: Olivier Nicklaus (France, 2021)
Genre: Documentary, fashion

Paris, Capitale de la mode ! 50 ans de fashion week !—September 25 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT (English ST)

In celebration of 50 years of Paris Fashion Week

Also streaming on TV5MONDEplus beginning September 4

2024 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Paris Fashion Week. We look back at half a century of creativity since Kenzo and Rykiel’s arrival in the 1970s, including the rise of Gaultier, Lacroix, Mugler, and Lagerfeld in the 1980s… An event now accessible to everyone thanks to social networks. Directed and narrated by renowned fashion documentary filmmaker and journalist, Loïc Prigent.

Director: Loïc Prigent (France, 2024)
Genre: Documentary, fashion

TV5 Monde Plus

Films

Les Cyclades—Streaming beginning September 4 (English ST)

As teenagers, Blandine and Magalie were inseparable. When they meet again, several years later, they decide to finally take the trip they’d always dreamed of: to Greece! The only problem is that the two former friends now have very different approaches to life… and holidays!

Director: Marc Fitoussi (France, 2022)
Cast: Laure Calamy, Olivia Côte, Kristin Scott Thomas
Genre: Comedy

Les algues vertes—Streaming beginning September 4 (English ST)

Following the recent deaths of locals on beaches in Brittany, a reporter investigates the mystery surrounding algae that may have caused these tragic deaths.

Director: Pierre Jolivet (France, 2023)
Cast: Céline Sallette, Nina Meurisse, Julie Ferrier
Genre: Drama, thriller

Series

Délits mineurs— Streaming beginning September 4 (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

Juvenile Court, Geneva. Three women, a judge, an educator and an inspector with contrasted methods try to help young people being pursued by the law. Everyone will have to take risks and make choices.

Director: Nicole Borgeat (Switzerland, 2023)
Cast: Noémie Schmidt, Marie Gillain, Assa Sylla
Genre: Drama

Chez Maupassant— Streaming Season 1 beginning September 4 (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

A television anthology based on the short stories written by Guy de Maupassant.

Director: Laurent Heynemann, Gérard Jourd’hui, Denis Malleval (France, 2007)
Cast: Marie-Anne Chazel, Françoise Gillard, Thomas Chabrol
Genre: Dramedy

Les Pays d’en haut— Now streaming (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

A journey to rural Quebec in the late 19th century against a backdrop of challenges posed by the colonisation of this faraway land, collusion between the church and politicians and the difficult living conditions of the day.

Director: Sylvain Archambault (Canada, 2015)
Cast: Vincent Leclerc, Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, Maxime Le Flaguais, Antoine Bertrand
Genre: Drama

Trentenaires— Now streaming (English ST)

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

In Charleroi, we follow the adventures of a group of friends, bound by a shared trauma. Each faces the challenges of their generation, trying to keep their personal lives on an even keel.

Director: Sylvain Archambault (Belgium, 2022)
Cast: Marie Diaby, Amandine Hinnekens, Carole Matagne
Genre: Dramedy

La librairie francophone— Now streaming

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

· Authors and booksellers from France, Switzerland, Canada and Belgium discuss their top picks and the books making the news in their respective countries.

Host: Emmanuel Khérad (France, 2022)
Genre: Literary series

Laëtitia— Streaming beginning September 4 (English ST)

Two years after becoming the world Thai boxing champion, 28-year-old Laëtitia Lambert prepares for her next fight, however, she’s 12 kilos overweight. Filled with doubts, the single mother spends her life chasing her dreams.

Director: Julie Talon (France, 2015)
Genre: Documentary, sport

Destination francophonie— Now streaming

In celebration of the 19th Francophonie Summit

· A journey throughout the French-speaking world to explore every corner of the globe! In each country we meet francophones who present, in French, their culture, way of life and commitments. The programme also shines a spotlight on local projects that keep the French language alive, dynamic and constantly evolving.

Host: Ivan Kabacoff (France, 2023)
Genre: Docuseries, travel

TV5 Monde Cinema

Theme: Female directors

Merveilles à Montfermeil— available beginning September 6 (English ST)

After a long separation, a couple finally divorces, but both are on the staff of the newly elected mayor of Montfermeil, an underprivileged town on the outskirts of Paris.

Director: Jeanne Balibar (2019)
Cast: Emmanuelle Béart, Ramzy Bedia, Jeanne Balibar
Genre: Comedy

C’est ça l’amour— available beginning September 6 (English ST)

A father must raise his two teenage daughters alone after his wife walks out.

Director: Claire Burger (2019)
Cast: Bouli Lanners, Justine Lacroix, Sarah Henochsberg
Genre: Drama

Robuste— available beginning September 6 (English ST)

When his right-hand man and only mate goes away for a few weeks, an aging film star is given a substitute. The disillusioned actor and the young female security guard forge a special connection.

Director: Constance Meyer (2022)
Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Déborah Lukumuena, Lucas Mortier
Genre: Dramedy

Temps mort— available beginning September 13 (English ST)

Three inmates are finally granted a weekend leave.

Director: Eve Duchemin (2023)
Cast: Karim Leklou, Issaka Sawadogo, Jarod Cousyns
Genre: Drama

Ça ira mieux demain— available beginning September 13 (English ST)

The unfortunate purchase of plastic wrap reveals the character and behavior of a small group of individuals caught up in the chaos of today’s society.

Director: Jeanne Labrune (2000)
Cast: Nathalie Baye, Jeanne Balibar, Isabelle Carré
Genre: Comedy

Sages Femmes— available beginning September 20 (English ST)

Two newly trained midwives are thrown into the challenges of everyday hospital life.

Director: Léa Fehner (2023)
Cast: Héloïse Janjaud, Khadija Kouyaté, Myriem Akheddiou
Genre: Drama

Victoria— available beginning September 20 (English ST)

A criminal defense attorney on the verge of an emotional breakdown goes to a wedding where she runs into an old friend Vincent and her ex-husband.

Director: Justine Triet (2016)
Cast: Virginie Efira, Vincent Lacoste, Melvil Poupaud
Genre: Dramedy

Sur la branche— available beginning September 20 (English ST)

A bipolar woman helps a lawyer threatened with disbarment by persuading him to represent a small-time crook.

Director: Marie Garel-Weiss (2023)
Cast: Daphné Patakia, Benoît Poelvoorde, Agnès Jaoui
Genre: Comedy

Fragile— available beginning September 27 (English ST)

An oyster farmer proposes to his girlfriend who says no and breaks up with him.

Director: Emma Benestan (2021)
Cast: Yasin Houicha, Oulaya Amamra, Raphaël Quenard
Genre: Romance

Annie colère— available beginning September 27 (English ST)

A working mother of two teenagers becomes pregnant in the 1970s and decides to meet with a movement that performs illegal abortions.

Director: Blandine Lenoir (2022)
Cast: Laure Calamy, Zita Hanrot, India Hair
Genre: Drama