Educational Catalogue: French-Language Films
- Own Voice
Short Film Programme
If you’d like to show several short films together as a programme, please feel free to get in touch for advice and tips on selecting the perfect combination for your needs.
Director
Various
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Classics, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Discrimination, Environment, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Sports, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, French
Bon Cop Bad Cop 2
Eight years after they met in Bon Cop Bad Cop (above), the comically mismatched duo of straightlaced Ontario cop Martin Ward (Feore) and scruffy Quebec cop David Bouchard (Huard) reunite to investigate yet another major crime in this long-awaited sequel. When their separate investigations unexpectedly cross paths, the pair must join forces to investigate a crime ring south of the border, giving the film plenty of hilarious opportunities to poke fun at the cultural differences between the two Canucks and their American counterparts.
Director
Alain Desrochers
Desrochers began his filmmaking career with over 100 music videos and commercials, winning numerous awards. His first feature, La Bouteille, earned him a Genie nomination for Best Direction. His credits include Nitro, Cabotins and Gerry. Most recently, he directed the miniseries Bad Blood and the feature Security starring Sir Ben Kingsley.
Writer
Patrick Huard
Cast
Colm Feore, Patrick Huard, Erik Knudsen, Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse
Producers
Pierre Even, Patrick Huard, François Flamand
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Seville
Bon Cop Bad Cop
Ward (Feore) and Boucher (Huard) couldn’t be more different: one is an English-speaker from Toronto, the other is a French-speaker from Montreal; one never deviates from established procedure, the other is a rebel who refuses to play by the rules. The detectives soon learn that if they are to solve this lurid crime, which is linked to the world of hockey, they need to stop bickering and work together.
With uproarious performances from both leads, Bon Cop, Bad Cop is a genuinely clever take on the buddy-cop genre that will keep you captivated throughout.
Director
Érik Canuel
Canuel made music videos and TV commercials before turning to film. His features include Nez rouge and Le dernier tunnel, Barrymore, starring Christopher Plummer, and the recent Undercover Grandpa. Bon Cop Bad Cop won a Genie for Best Motion Picture and the Golden Reel Award. Next, Canuel will direct the feature film The Burning Man.
Writers
Leila Basen, Alex Epstein, Patrick Huard, Kevin Tierney
Cast
Colm Feore, Patrick Huard
Producer
Kevin Tierney
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
C.R.A.Z.Y.
The film follows Zac as life takes him on an epic journey to come to grips with his sexual identity. Buoyed by a vibrant soundtrack, C.R.A.Z.Y. boasts countless moments of true movie magic. It is at once a crowd pleaser and a poignant auteur film.
Director
Jean-Marc Vallée
Vallée garnered nine Genie nominations for his first feature, Liste noire. C.R.A.Z.Y. was a box office hit and was honoured at film festivals worldwide. He directed the Oscar-nominated films Dallas Buyers Club and Wild, as well as Demolition starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the hit TV series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. He tragically passed away in December 2021.
Writers
François Boulay, Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast
Michel Côté, Marc-André Grondin, Danielle Proulx, Pierre-Luc Brillant
Producers
Jean-Marc Vallée, Pierre Even
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Bullying, Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films/Criterion
Gabrielle
As the choir prepares for an important performance, Gabrielle must confront other people’s prejudices with courage and overcome her own limitations.
“On the surface, it’s a simple love story: girl meets boy, girl likes boy, girl kisses boy. But Louise Archambault’s Gabrielle is much more…a deeply affecting tale of difference, dignity and the healing power of song.”
— T’cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Director
Louise Archambault
Montreal-based Archambault achieved success with her short film Atomic Saké. Her first feature, Familia, won her the Canadian Screen Award for Best Debut Feature, and Gabrielle was nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards. Archambault also directed the TV series Catastrophe and wrote and directed Il pleuvait des oiseaux, which premiered at TIFF 2019. She is currently completing her next two features, Irena’s Vow and Le temps d’un été. Next she will write and direct My Camino.
Writer
Louise Archambault
Cast
Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, Alexandre Landry, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Robert Charlebois
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
La grande séduction (Seducing Doctor Lewis)
Since the new factory requires a resident doctor to be on hand, the boisterous and resourceful mayor (Bouchard) sets out to keep Dr. Christopher Lewis (Boutin) in the village. Dr. Lewis, whose stay in the village was caused by a speeding ticket, is a man of eccentric tastes — he loves cricket, beef Stroganoff and women in open-toed sandals. The villagers set out to create a community that mirrors the habits and loves of the good doctor. Will they succeed?
Winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director
Jean-François Pouliot
In addition to over 500 commercials, Montrealer Pouliot’s credits include feature films Guide de la petite vengeance and the 2015 box-office success Dr. Cabbie as well as the hit animated film Snowtime!. Recently, he directed the feature films Les 3 p’tits cochons 2, Votez Bougon and the Snowtime! sequel, Racetime.
Writer
Ken Scott
Cast
Raymond Bouchard, David Boutin, Pierre Collin, Benoît Brière, Lucie Laurier
Producers
Roger Frappier, Luc Vandal
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Le journal d’Aurélie Laflamme (The Journal of Aurélie Laflamme)
Based on the first novel of Québecois author India Desjardins, this quirky and endearing coming-of-age story about a girl lost in her own world is sure to delight.
Director
Christian Laurence
Montreal director Laurence has been working in film and TV for more than 15 years, focusing primarily on short films, including L’astronaute and Songs We Sing. Le journal d'Aurélie Laflamme, his first feature film, was nominated for three Jutra awards. He recently directed the TV mini-series La Derape, Manuel de la vie sauvage, and Haute démolition.
Writers
Christian Laurence, India Desjardins
Cast
Marianne Verville, Genevieve Chartrand, Aliocha Schneider
Producer
Claude Veillet
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Interests
Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films
Babine
In the small village of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, whenever something bad happens, the villagers blame Babine, the son of the village witch. Babine was born an outsider, and has spent his life being teased. When the local church burns down, the new priest becomes determined to find the culprit, and puts the blame on Babine, deciding he must be punished once and for all.
Babine is an offbeat comedy and a charming fairy tale filled with eccentric characters and has a strong message of acceptance that will resonate with audiences of all ages.
Director
Luc Picard
Luc Picard is a celebrated actor with over 50 film and television credits and two Jutra Awards to his name. He has directed Audition, Babine, Ésimésac, and a segment in the anthology film 9. Les rois mongols earned six Canadian Screen Award nominations. His latest film is Confessions and he recently starred in Arsenault & Fils and French Girl.
Writer
Fred Pellerin
Cast
Vincent-Guillaume Otis, Luc Picard, Alexis Martin, Isabel Richer, René Richard Cyr
Producer
Lorraine Richard
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interest
Bullying
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Louis 19, le roi des ondes (Louis the 19th, King of the Airwaves)
“Particularly astonishing…its commentary was both funny and telling.” — Matthew Hays, Montage
Director
Michel Poulette
Montreal writer/director Poulette’s film Louis 19, le roi des ondes earned the Canadian Screen Award for Best First Feature as well as the Golden Reel Award. His feature Maïna was nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards and three Jutras. He directed Agent of Influence starring Oscar winner Christopher Plummer, several recent TV movies and the series Real Detective.
Writers
Sylvie Bouchard, Émile Gaudreault, Michel Michaud, Michel Poulette
Cast
Martin Drainville, Agathe Lafontaine, Dominique Michel, Yves Jacques, Patricia Tulasne
Producers
Jacques Dorfmann, Richard Sadler
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interest
Arts and Culture
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Dub, EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
La guerre des tuques (Snowtime!)
The result is a family-friendly contemporary hit full of chilly thrills, snow-fort hills, and a rollicking energy that is unstoppably fun. Fortunately, there’s also a brilliant anti-war message packed in the ice that’s sure to melt hearts.
Snowtime! (La Guerre des tuques) 3D was a bilingual box-office smash, winning the Golden Screen Award for being the highest-grossing Canadian film in 2015.
Directors
Jean-François Pouliot
In addition to over 500 commercials, Montrealer Pouliot’s credits include feature films Guide de la petite vengeance and the 2015 box-office success Dr. Cabbie as well as the hit animated film Snowtime!. Recently, he directed the feature films Les 3 p’tits cochons 2, Votez Bougon and the Snowtime! sequel, Racetime.
Writers
Paul Risacher, Normand Canac-Marquis, Roger Cantin, Danyèle Patenaude
Cast
André Sauvé, Nicholas Savard L'Herbier, Mariloup Wolfe, Sandra Oh, Ross Lynch
Producer
Marie-Claude Beauchamp
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Interest
Bullying
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Maurice Richard (The Rocket)
But this is much more than a sports movie. Director Binamé frames the story in a cultural context: It isn’t until Richard, a man of few words, begins to speak his mind about the inequalities and prejudice directed toward French Canadians that he finds his voice.
Many feel that the riots caused by Richard’s suspension in 1955 were the spark that fuelled the Quiet Revolution in Quebec. This hockey blockbuster is chock-full of heart and history.
The Rocket was nominated for 13 Genie Awards and won nine.
Director
Charles Binamé
Binamé’s Eldorado screened at the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 1995. He also directs for hit TV shows such as Reign, Flashpoint, Rookie Blue and Republic of Doyle. His latest film, Elephant Song, won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Writer
Ken Scott
Cast
Roy Dupuis, Julie Le Breton, Stephen McHattie, Patrice Robitaille
Producers
Daniel Louis, Denise Robert
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, History, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributors
eOne, FunFilm/Criterion
Guibord s’en va-t-en guerre (My Internship in Canada)
Frozen in the spotlight, Guibord’s closest ally becomes Souverain (Exantus), his naïve intern from Haiti, who commands the situation with playful quips, charming idealism and a good dose of humour.
Written and directed by Oscar nominee Philippe Falardeau, Guibord s’en va-t-en guerre’s satirical spin is a fun — and relevant — political farce. The film was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Picture, and earned the Special Jury Citation for Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Director
Philippe Falardeau
Quebecois director and screenwriter Falardeau has won more than 32 international awards for his films, which include Monsieur Lazhar, La moitié gauche du frigo, C'est pas moi, je le jure!, The Good Lie, the political satire Guibord s'en va-t-en guerre, and the recent My Salinger Year as well as the TV show Le temps des framboises.
Writer
Philippe Falardeau
Cast
Patrick Huard, Suzanne Clément, Irdens Exantus
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne/Criterion
De père en flic (Fathers and Guns)
The pair infiltrates an outdoor camp for fathers and sons to snag Charles Bérubé (Girard), the biker gang's lawyer. As Jacques and Marc try to locate their missing colleague, they find the camp's bonding activities are having an emotional and hilarious impact on their own relationship.
De père en flic is the highest-grossing French-language film in Canadian history.
"A can't-miss buddy comedy about a pair of dysfunctional father-son cops who are forced to go undercover at a touchy-feely bonding retreat...a genuinely amusing hybrid." — Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Director
Émile Gaudreault
Gaudreault co-wrote Louis 19, le roi des ondes, which Ron Howard adapted into EDtv. Gaudreault both co-wrote and directed De pere en flic (the highest-grossing French-language film in Canadian history), Le vrai du faux, Le sens de l'humour and Mambo Italiano, which earned six Canadian Comedy Award nominations. He also wrote and directed De père en flic 2, and most recently, the comedy Menteur. He also co-wrote the upcoming Lignes de fuite, and is producing the English-language remake of De père en flic, Fathers and Guns.
Writers
Émile Gaudreault, Ian Lauzon
Cast
Michel Côté, Louis-José Houde, Rémy Girard, Patrick Drolet, Caroline Dhavernas
Producers
Denise Robert, Daniel Louise
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
La mystérieuse mademoiselle C. (The Mysterious Miss C.)
Based on the popular children’s book series, The Mysterious Miss C. is a fun and heartwarming story that encourages kids to be positive, to use their imagination and to discover the joy of reading.
Director
Richard Ciupka
Writer
Dominique Demers
Cast
Marie-Chantal Perron, Gildor Roy, Eve Lemieux, Benoît Brière
Producers
Jacques Bonin, Claude Veillet
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Christal Films
Maman est chez le coiffeur (Mommy Is at the Hairdresser’s)
It's the summer of 1966. The sun is shining and the world is full of possibilities. But for 15-year-old Élise (Fortier), there are issues simmering beneath the surface of her happy family life.
When a shocking discovery drives her mother to leave the family, everyone is stunned. Amid the chaos, Élise decides it's up to her to take matters into her own hands and solve the problems. While her father and two brothers withdraw into their inner world, Élise is not discouraged. Trying to keep her family's troubles a secret, she discovers that no one around her has a life as perfect as it seems at first glance.
A tender and touching story of coming of age in difficult circumstances, Mommy's at the Hairdresser's is a film full of rich, vivid colors that are wonderfully evocative of hot summer days. It's not exactly the summer Élise was expecting, but it will be a summer unlike any other.
Director
Léa Pool
Pool has earned three Genie Award nominations for Best Direction. Her films include Emporte Moi, Mouvements du désir, Lost and Delirious, La dernière fugue and the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. Her recent films include the doc Double Sentence and the features La passion d'Augustine and Et au pire, on se mariera.
Writer
Isabelle Hébert
Cast
Marianne Fortier, Élie Dupuis, Hugo St-Onge-Paquin
Producers
Lyse Lafontaine, Michael Mosca
Genre
Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
FR CC
Canadian Distributors
Les Films Seville, eOne
Le coq de St-Victor (The Rooster of St-Victor)
Initially delighted, the villagers soon come to regret their choice, as St-Victor is thrown into chaos – the baker doesn’t bake, the deliveryman doesn’t deliver, and absolutely nothing is working like clockwork! Now they must come up with a new plan to rescue their trusty rooster and bring balance and prosperity back to St-Victor.
Director
Pierre Greco
Writers
Pierre Greco, Johanne Mercier
Cast
Benoît Brière, Paul Ahmarani, Anne Dorval
Producer
Nancy Savard
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Family
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Dub, EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Attraction Distribution
- Own Voice
Tia and Piujuq
Tia (Bshara) is a 10-year-old refugee from Syria, living in Montreal and struggling to make friends and feel comfortable in her new environment. While her parents are preoccupied with her mother’s pregnancy and the challenges of everyday life in a new place, Tia is left mostly to her own devices.
Everything changes when she discovers a magical portal that transports her to Igloolik, a community in the Arctic Circle. There she meets Piujuq (Tulugarjuk), an Inuk girl who she quickly forms a deep bond with in spite of their cultural differences. Through their friendship, the stories of Piujuq’s grandmother, and their wanderings across the striking northern landscape, the girls are immersed in Inuit myth and magic.
A heartwarming magical-realist fable about friendship and discovery, Tia and Piujuq is a delightful adventure for all ages.
Director
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)
Writers
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk), Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau
Cast
Tia Bshara, Nuvvija Tulugarjuk (Inuk), Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (Inuk)
Genres
Drama, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, French, Inuktitut, Other Language
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles, Other Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Isuma Distribution International
Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure
Based on the popular kids TV series, Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure is a fun and exciting adventure story for young audiences.
Director
Dominique Monfery
Writer
John Van Bruggen
Cast
Louise Cheka, Kevin Sommier, Ariane Aggiage, Isabelle Volpe
Producers
Jérémie Fajner, Cynthia Taylor
Genres
Animation, Family
Interests
Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Mars Distribution
Junior Majeur (Major Junior)
Five years after the events of Les Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie best friends Janeau (Pilon) and Joey (Goulet) have made it to Quebec’s semiprofessional hockey league. Both athletes have their sights set on the NHL and scouts have begun to take an interest. Then, in a sudden twist of fate, the two are caught in a devastating car accident that threatens both of their careers. The road to recovery is full of complex challenges and emotions that may end up doing irreparable damage to their previously strong friendship.
A more mature exploration of friendship and the competitive world of junior hockey, this is a coming of age drama with a whole lot of heart.
Director
Éric Tessier
Tessier’s first film was the award-winning short Viens dehors! His feature films include Sur le seuil, Vendus, 5150 rue des Ormes, Junior Majeur, and Les Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie, which won the Best Feature Film award at TIFF Kids. He recently directed the films Tu te souviendras de moi and When Love Blooms, and episodes of Hôtel and Transplant. He is currently directing The Amityville Curse.
Writers
Martin Bouchard, Emmanuel Joly
Cast
Antoine Olivier Pilon, Rémi Goulet, Alice Morel-Michaud, Normand Daneau
Producer
Christian Larouche
Genre
Drama
Interest
Sports
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Seville
Les Rois Mongols (Cross My Heart)
When a young Québecois girl watches the 1970 October Crisis take over the news, it gives her an idea for how to keep herself and her brother out of foster care. With their father in the hospital and their mother unable to care for them, the children hatch a plan to find and kidnap an elderly woman (Coulter) who can pose as their grandmother.
They take their victim to a remote cabin, but the authorities are soon on their trail, as their poorly planned scheme quickly gets out of hand, and the story evolves into a brilliant parallel of one of the most important moments in Quebec history. Winner of the prestigious Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, Les Rois Mongols is a bittersweet and adventurous coming-of-age story with a lot of heart.
Director
Luc Picard
Luc Picard is a celebrated actor with over 50 film and television credits and two Jutra Awards to his name. He has directed Audition, Babine, Ésimésac, and a segment in the anthology film 9. Les rois mongols earned six Canadian Screen Award nominations. His latest film is Confessions and he recently starred in Arsenault & Fils and French Girl.
Writer
Nicole Belanger
Cast
Milya Corbeil-Gauvreau, Henri Picard, Anthony Bouchard, Alexis Guay, Clare Coulter
Producers
Luc Chatelain, Stephanie Pages
Genres
Drama, Family
Interests
Family Relationships, History, Literary Adaptation, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Téléfiction Distribution