If you're looking for a fun and engaging way to improve your French language skills, watching movies is a great option. Not only will you get to immerse yourself in the language and culture, but you'll also pick up new vocabulary and improve your listening comprehension.
In this article, we're going to explore 10 French-language films that have either won an Oscar or were nominated for one. We'll take a closer look at what each movie is about, and most importantly, what kind of vocabulary you can learn from them.
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Why You Should Learn French With Movies?
There are several compelling reasons why learning French through movies is an effective and enjoyable method. Firstly, watching movies and TV shows in French allows learners to immerse themselves in the language and culture in a way that textbooks cannot replicate. This exposure to authentic language usage helps learners to improve their listening and comprehension skills.
Additionally, French cinema has a rich history and is known for producing critically acclaimed films that are recognized worldwide. This means that learners can simultaneously improve their language skills while exploring the art and culture of France. Overall, learning French through movies is a fun and effective way to improve language skills while gaining insight into the culture and art of French cinema.
If you're someone who likes to learn French by watching shows and movies, Lingopie provides an excellent collection of French series and films suitable for learners of all levels. You can customize the audio speed from the settings and use English and French subtitles to follow along. Many learners find this method more helpful than solely relying on textbooks to learn French.
Now let's go into the list:
1. Close (2022)
"Close" is a recent Belgian movie about two boys who have a very close friendship. When one of their friends asks if they are a couple, the boys' friendship is put to the test. The movie explores themes of friendship, growing up, pain, death, and loss.
2. Les Misérables (2012)
This urban drama follows three cops who work in a forest state near Paris. The movie explores issues like class struggles, ethnic tensions, racism, police violence, and a broken system. You'll pick up a lot of slang, curse words, and vocabulary around violence, police life, struggles, problems, and poverty.
3. A Prophet (2009)
"A Prophet" is about a young Muslim man who has been sentenced to six years in prison. He comes under the wing of a Corsican mob who get him to do tasks and commit crimes in prison. Eventually, he starts his own dodgy business. You'll learn a lot of curse words, French slang words, and vocabulary regarding violence and prison life.
4. Rebelle (2012)
"Rebelle" is a Canadian movie set in sub-Saharan Africa. It follows a 12-year-old girl who is abducted by rebel forces and forced to become a child soldier. You can pick up vocabulary about weapons, war, loss, and death.
Read Also: Curse Words in the French Language: Using French Swear Words Like a Pro
5. Monsieur Lazhar (2011)
"Monsieur Lazhar" is a Canadian movie about an Algerian refugee who goes to work in an elementary school as a replacement for a teacher who has just committed suicide. The film revolves around the relationship he starts to build with his students, who are haunted by the death of their previous teacher. You can learn vocabulary about school, friendship, childhood, life, death, and cultural references about Algeria.
6. Incendies (2010)
"On the Sunday of Life" is a Canadian movie about Canadian twins who travel to their mother's country in the Middle East after she passes away. They find out she has a secret past during the civil war and end up discovering they have another brother and that their father is alive. The vocabulary you'll pick up from this movie is around the themes of death, war, and loss.
7. The Missing Picture (2013)
"The Missing Picture" is a Cambodian-French movie that uses animation, clay figures, and archive footage to recreate the atrocities of the Cambodian genocide. The vocabulary you can learn from this movie is around devastation, war, loss, and food scarcity.
Related: 15 French Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know [Language Tips]
8. Outside the Law (2010)
"Outside the Law" is an Algerian movie about the Algerian struggle for independence from France after World War II. Three brothers come together to fight for freedom, making it a film about bravery and courage. The vocabulary you'll learn from this movie will be regarding war.
9. The Class (2008)
It's a 2008 French movie based on a semi-autobiographical novel by a teacher. The movie follows a year in the life of a middle school teacher in a Parisian school and the diverse group of students in his class. The movie highlights the challenges of teaching in a multicultural environment and the conflicts that arise. The vocabulary you'll learn from this movie includes words related to education, diversity, and social issues.
10. The Chorus (2004)
It's a 2004 French movie about a music teacher at a boarding school who tries to bring out the best in his troubled students through the power of music. The movie is set in the 1940s and is a heartwarming tale of redemption and hope. The vocabulary you'll learn from this movie includes words related to music, education, and personal growth.
Summing up:
In conclusion, watching French movies can be a great way to improve your vocabulary and understanding of the language. The ten movies mentioned above cover a range of themes and genres, from coming-of-age stories to war and historical dramas. So pick one or more of these movies and enjoy learning new words and expressions while immersing yourself in French culture.
Don't forget to visit Lingopie for an extensive collection of French TV shows with interactive transcripts and subtitles. With regular practice, you'll soon be able to speak French like a native.
Bonne chance!
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