January film schedule for TV5MONDE

By April MacIntyre Dec 30, 2008, 2:50 GMT

In Camel, writer/director/star Tedeschi plays Federica, the daughter of a dying indutrialist who is coming to terms with the fact that she will soon inherit a huge fortune. Her guilt surrounding her impending wealth is palpable yet playful, and Tedeschi does a fine job of dramatizing Federica\'s doubts. In one scene, she even has Federica and her lover share a couple of choruses of the socialist anthem The Internationale at a crowded intersection. In another, Federica fantasizes about what it would have been like to have been kidnapped by Communist Italians, winning their trust and uniting them with her wealthy family for a rousing banquet.

January on TV5MONDE features an Austin Powers-like spy flick, the film Gene Wilder’s The Lady in Red was based on, and a critically acclaimed film written, directed and starring President Sarkozy’s sister-in-law. 

With live sporting events, international news programs and family-friendly programming - here’s a glimpse of what TV5MONDE has to offer in the New Year. 

Sunday, January 18

8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT

OSS 117: Cairo – of Spies Nest (French title: OSS 117, Le Caire Nid D’Espions)

OSS 117. This action/spy comedy takes place in Cairo, Egypt circa 1955 when the French President sends his master weapon (agent OSS 117) to bring order to a land on the brink of chaos.

Imagine Inspector Jacques Clouseau as James Bond, and you have OSS 117.  This action/spy comedy takes place in Cairo, Egypt circa 1955 when the French President sends his master weapon (agent OSS 117) to bring order to a land on the brink of chaos. 

Of course, even more chaos ensues. 

In addition to winning the Prix du Public at the 2006 Seattle International Film Festival, the film was nominated for five Cesar awards and grossed $302,752 at the US box office.

Tuesday, January 20 & Tuesday, January 27

8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT

Back to Back Tuesdays with Yves Robert

January 20

Pardon Mon Affaire (French Title: Un Elephant Ca Trompe Enormement)

Nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1978 Golden Globes and later re-made into Gene Wilder’s The Lady in Red, this film by famed French director Yves Roberts follows four inseparable friends, all hiding something, including one who falls madly in love with another woman and tries to hide it from his wife. 

The lies and deceptions among all four result in incredible, comical and sometimes cruel episodes.

English subtitles available.

January 27

We Will All Meet In Paradise (French Title: Nous Irons Tous Au Paradis)

The sequel to An Elephant Can Be Extremely Deceptive, the film picks up right where the first left off with new women, love, adultery, jealousy, friendship, arguments and laughter.

English subtitles available.
Thursday, January 22 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT

It’s Easier for a Camel (French title: Est Plus Facile Pour Un Chameau)

Written, directed and starring Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi

Winner of Two Tribeca Film Awards.

In this semi-autobiographical tale, Tedeschi stars as Federica, a very rich girl… maybe too rich. 

Her privileged life imprisons her and prevents her from making her way as an adult and facing up to her responsibilities.  She is faced with the expectations of her fiancé, the unexpected reappearance of an ex-lover, the conflicts within a family completely out of touch with reality and the death of her father, which leaves her profoundly shaken. 

Weighed down by the inheritance that awaits her, by these entangled relationships with her entourage and by the burden of a nagging feeling of guilt, Federica seeks comfort in her imagination and vivid fantasies.

Films for the Family

Thursday, January 1
8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT
Raining Cats and Frogs (French title: La Prophetie des Grenouilles)

Winner of the Adult’s Jury Prize at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Jacques-Remy Girerd’s animated film offers a modern day spin on Noah’s ark. 

When the frogs realize a modern day flood is coming, they decide to, just this once, communicate with humans, specifically a family that lives right near them and are caretakers of the zoo.  Led by Ferdinand, the family, the frogs and an assortment of animals embark on a great adventure where all need to learn how to live together peacefully.
 
Thursday, January 29
8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT

Malabar Princess

An “intelligently scripted, beautifully made kidpic for all ages,” says Daily Variety of this film, Gilles Legrand first feature.  Missing does not mean dead. 

This is what 8-year-old Tom decides, and he has only one thing on his mind: finding his mother, who disappeared on a Mont Blanc glacier five years ago.  When he’s sent to live with his grandfather for the school year, Tom meets Robert, who is obsessed with retrieving debris from the Malabar Princess, an Air India plane that crashed into Mont-Blanc on November 5, 1950 and Tom begins to uncover several family secrets.

English subtitles available.