Films on the Green Festival presents the free outdoor screening of classic drama THE TANGO LESSON by Sally Potter this Sunday June 11 at 8:30pm in Washington Square Park! #FilmsontheGreen
NEW DATE: Sunday June 11, 2023 at 8:30pm
LOCATION: Washington Square Park - under the arch
Film in French, Spanish and English with English subtitles
FREE and open to the public (no ticket needed)
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THE TANGO LESSON (La Leçon de tango)
Directed by Sally Potter, 1997, Drama, PG, 1h40, UK-France-Argentina-Germany-Netherlands-USA
With Sally Potter, Pablo Verón, Carlos Copello, Carolina Lotti
Dissatisfied with her latest Hollywood screenplay, filmmaker Sally finds solace in tango lessons with Pablo, an Argentinean dancer living in Paris. As their relationship deepens, they strike a deal: if he teaches her to tango, she will make him a movie star. As they work together to make a movie in Buenos Aires, they confront the complexities of their love and conflicting desires.
Films on the Green returns for its 15th edition with a selection of free screenings across nine parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn from June 2 to September 8, 2023. Celebrating the art of dance in film, the festival features 12 stunning features that highlight dance as a universal language that connects cultures and people through the magic of cinema. Join us for a mesmerizing cinematic journey through the world of dance in New York City parks!
Music Box Films is pleased to announce that Alice Winocour’s deeply moving drama REVOIR PARIS starring César Award Best Actress winner Virginie Efira (Other People’s Children) is scheduled to open in New York on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Film Center, and Los Angeles on Friday, June 30 at Laemmle’s Royal, with a national expansion to follow.
After surviving a mass shooting in a Paris restaurant, Mia (Virginie Efira) is haunted, unable to resume life as usual, and left with a total blackout where her memories of the traumatic incident should be. Determined to reconstruct the sequence of events and reestablish a sense of normalcy, Mia finds herself repeatedly returning to the bistro where the shooting happened. In the process, she forms bonds with fellow survivors, including banker Thomas (Benoît Magimel) and teenager Félicia (Nastya Golubeva). Apoignant, emotional and ultimately hopeful tale on grief and healing, REVOIR PARIS is anchored by a career-best performance by Efira who earned the 2023 César for Best Actress. Although fictional, the film was inspired by Winocour’s own brother’s experiences as a survivor of the Bataclan concert hall 2015 attacks.
Writer-director Alice Winocour, a graduate of the prestigious Paris film school FEMIS, made her feature debut with the historical drama Augustine (Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, Camerimage’s Best Directorial Debut Award); her subsequent films are Disorder with Matthias Schoenarts and Diane Kruger (Special Jury Award Mention, AFI Fest) and Proxima with Eva Green and Matt Dillon (Special Jury Prize, San Sebastian Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival). Winocour also co-won the Best Original Screenplay César for Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Oscar nominated film Mustang. She is a member of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard jury.
Elles sont partout, et pourtant, on ne les voit presque pas dans les livres d’apprentis-sage de français langue étrangère. Elles sont souvent une des principales causes de réussite d’une séquence pédagogique, mais on n’en parle que peu, on ne les en-traîne pas, elles sont bannies de l’es-pace scolaire traditionnel, en parti-culier à partir du secondaire*. Elles, ce sont les émotions. En effet, s’il n’est pas rare de voir, dans les enseignements précoces de FLE, des moments de classe centrés sur la vie en commun et sur ce que les élèves ressentent, ces moments n’existent plus pour les apprenants adolescents : la responsabilité de gestion des émotions semble leur être totalement confiée, alors même qu’il s’agit sans conteste d’une étape de la vie où les sentiments s’entre-mêlent, se bousculent et peuvent paralyser. Comment faire alors pour les aider à mieux les gérer et pour créer une communauté bien-veillante pour vos activités en FLE ? Si les enseignants ont l’habitude d’avoir à canaliser les discours des apprenants enfants pendant les ses-sions de classe, à partir de la préado-lescence ils peuvent observer com-ment ils commencent nication dans le contexte social. Ces caractéristiques recouvrent, selon le Cadre, les attitudes, les mo-tivations, les valeurs, les croyances, les styles cognitifs, mais aussi les traits de la personnalité. Sont ainsi citées les différentes dichotomies : silencieux/bavard, entreprenant/timide, optimiste/pessimiste, in-troverti/extraverti, pro actif/ré-actif, sens de la culpabilité ou pas, (absence de) peur ou embarras, rigide/souple, ouverture/étroi-tesse d’esprit, spontané/retenu, intelligent ou pas, soigneux/né-gligent, bonne mémoire ou pas, industrieux/paresseux, ambitieux ou pas, conscient de soi ou pas, confiant en soi ou pas, (in)dépen-dant, degré d’amour-propre. Si certains traits de personnalité mentionnés ici sont facilement observables, d’autres sont au contraire difficiles à cerner, et seul l’apprenant lui-même pourrait les partager s’il en avait la volonté et s’il était incité à le faire. Il faudrait alors retrouver chez les adolescents cette capacité des enfants à parler de soi sans honte, à s’ouvrir à la classe aisément, tout en réalisant les acti-vités langagières nécessaires au bon développement des compétences spécifiques de communication.à perdre leur envie de partager leurs histoires, leurs valeurs et leurs convictions devant la classe. Ce phénomène est peut-être dû à l’évolution même des jeunes apprenants, qui prennent petit à petit conscience du jugement de l’autre et sont de plus en plus sensibles à leur image sociale. Cela pourrait également être le fruit des différents systèmes éducatifs qui sé-parent, à partir d’un certain âge, les compétences liées au savoir-être et au savoir-faire interculturel (souvent cantonnées aux attitudes comme le respect de la différence, et toujours moins valorisées ou absentes des systèmes d’évaluation) et les com-pétences spécifiques liées aux conte-nus d’apprentissage, quelle que soit la matière enseignée. Seulement, pour pouvoir suivre les (très) discrètes orientations du Cadre Européen Commun de Réfé-rence pour les Langues sur le sujet, l’utilisateur-enseignant est censé promouvoir des caractéristiques personnelles concrètes que les ap-prenants ont besoin de développer ou dont ils doivent disposer pour mener à bien des actes de communication...pour continuer à lire cet article, abonnez-vous à la revue Le français dans le monde...http://fdlm.org
Get ready to dance through the summer with Films on the Green, New York City’s free French film festival! Our 15th edition is bringing French and international cinema to Manhattan and Brooklyn’s parks from June 2 to September 8. This year’s festival celebrates the art of dance in film with a lineup of 12 stunning features that highlight the beauty, rhythm, and emotion of dance.
Whether you’re a dance enthusiast or simply love a great film, there’s something for everyone in our captivating selection. So, put on your dancing shoes and join us for a mesmerizing cinematic journey through the world of dance in our beautiful New York City parks!
#FilmsOnTheGreen
FESTIVAL LINE-UP
Free and open to the public (no ticket needed). All films are shown with English subtitles. Screenings at sunset.
Friday June 2 | Central Park THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort) by Jacques Demy
With Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Dal
In the picturesque port town of Rochefort, the spirited Garnier twins, Delphine and Solange, share a strong bond and similar aspirations, despite their contrasting looks. Delphine, the celestial blonde, is a ballet teacher and dancer, while Solange, the fiery redhead, is a singer and composer. Together, they light up the town, imparting music and dance lessons with dreams of finding true love and pursuing their passions in the magical city of Paris.
Friday June 9 | Washington Square Park THE TANGO LESSON (La Leçon de tango) directed by Sally Potter
With Sally Potter, Pablo Verón, Carlos Copello, Carolina Lotti
Dissatisfied with her latest Hollywood screenplay, filmmaker Sally finds solace in tango lessons with Pablo, an Argentinean dancer living in Paris. As their relationship deepens, they strike a deal: if he teaches her to tango, she will make him a movie star. As they work together to make a movie in Buenos Aires, they confront the complexities of their love and conflicting desires. Presented in partnership with The Consulate General of Argentina in New York, Cinema Tropical, and the Washington Square Park Conservancy.
Friday June 16 | Washington Square Park HEARTBREAKER (L’Arnacœur) directed by Pascal Chaumeil With Vanessa Paradis, Romain Duris, Andrew Lincoln
Alex is a professional heartbreaker, but when he is hired to break the engagement between heiress Juliette and the man of her dreams, he finds himself facing his toughest challenge yet. With only ten days to succeed, Alex must use all his skills to accomplish his assignment, even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone. Inspired by the iconic film “Dirty Dancing,” he learns to dance like Patrick Swayze and uses all his charms and wit to break down Juliette’s defense and win her heart. Presented in partnership with the Washington Square Park Conservancy.
Friday June 23 | Transmitter Park, Brooklyn
LA FEMME ET LE PANTIN directed by Julien Duvivier
With Brigitte Bardot, António Vilar, Michel Roux, Darío Moreno
At the traditional Seville feria, Eva dances the fandango and captures the attention of the wealthy and powerful Matteo Diaz, a bull breeder who finds it difficult to resist her charms. As their passions intertwine, Eva toys with Matteo’s affections, challenging his self-esteem and leading him on a quest to win her heart. Presented in partnership with The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance.
Friday June 30 | Tompkins Square Park
THREE NIGHTS A WEEK (Trois nuits par semaine) directed by Florent Gouëlou
With Pablo Pauly, Romain Eck, Hafsia Herzi Baptiste’s world is turned upside down when he meets the enigmatic drag queen, Cookie Kunty, and falls headfirst into the dazzling and vibrant world of drag. Initially drawn in by a photography project, he finds himself completely immersed in this new Parisian scene, leading to a passionate and tumultuous relationship with Quentin, the man behind the captivating persona.
Friday July 7 | Seward Park
CASABLANCA BEATS (Haut et fort) directed by Nabil Ayouch
With Anas Basbousi, Ismail Adouab, Nouhaila Arif, Zineb Boujemaa Anas, a former rapper, is hired to teach hip hop at a cultural center in an underprivileged neighborhood of Casablanca. Amidst the challenges of restrictive traditions and issues of identity, religion, and politics, Anas manages to inspire his students, fostering unity and self-expression through the transformative power of hip hop culture. Presented in partnership with the Seward Park Conservancy.
Wednesday, July 12 | J. Hood Wright Park
NENEH SUPERSTAR directed by Ramzi Ben Sliman
With Oumy Bruni Garrel, Aïssa Maïga, Maiwenn, Steve Tientcheu At just twelve years old, Neneh is destined to dance and earns a coveted spot at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. Fueled by passion and determination, she must work twice as hard to overcome her challenging circumstances and earn the approval of the school’s director, Marianne Belage. Guarding a secret that connects her to Neneh, Marianne is put in a difficult position and becomes an unwavering protector of the school’s long-held traditions, leading Neneh to question whether she must choose between her dreams and her identity.
Friday July 14 | Seward Park
FRENCH CANCAN directed by Jean Renoir
With Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul, María Félix
Set in the vibrant Belle Epoque, live entertainment entrepreneur Henri Danglard undertakes the renovation of a historic Parisian cabaret, the Moulin Rouge. Betting on the revival of the cancan dance, he turns young washerwoman Nini into a star dancer. Along the way, Danglard confronts the jealousy of his lover Lola, the fickleness of his sponsors, and the fierce competition of the Montmartre scene. Presented in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute in New York, and the Seward Park Conservancy.
Friday July 21 | Riverside Park, Pier I
POLINA (Polina, danser sa vie) directed by Valérie Müller & Angelin Preljocaj
With Anastasia Shevtsova, Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider, Jérémie Bélingard As a promising classical ballet dancer, Polina is on the verge of joining the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet when she discovers contemporary dance, a revelation that upends her plans. Choosing a new path, she leaves Russia to move to France. Under the guidance of renowned choreographer Liria Elsaj, Polina grapples with finding her artistic voice and forging a new life in the world of dance. Presented in partnership with Summer on the Hudson.
Friday July 28 | Riverside Park Pier I NHA FALA (My Voice) directed by Flora Gomes (courtesy of Institut français)
With Fatou N’Diaye, Jean-Christophe Dollé, Angelo Torres, Naka Ramiro
In Cabo Verde, singing and dancing is at the heart of social life, but young Vita is forbidden to sing due to an ancestral family curse. During her time in Paris, she meets Pierre, a musician who uncovers her beautiful voice and persuades her to record a song. Terrified of the consequences, Vita returns home to confront her fears and face tradition. Presented in partnership with the African Film Festival, and Summer on the Hudson.
Wednesday, September 6 | Columbia University DANCING THE TWIST IN BAMAKO (Twist à Bamako) directed by Robert Guédiguian
With Stéphane Bak, Alicia Da Luz Gomes, Saabo Balde, Bakary Diombera
In 1960s Mali, the youth of Bamako embrace the twist dance and rock and roll imported from the West as they dream of political change. Amidst this atmosphere of hope, young socialist Samba encounters the spirited Lara during a political mission to the bush. As their love story unfolds, they face the challenges of revolution and strive to achieve their dreams for a brighter future. Presented in partnership with the Columbia Maison Francaise.
Friday, September 8 | McGolrick Park, Brooklyn LEAP! (Ballerina) directed by Eric Summer & Eric Warin
Félicie, a spirited orphan from Brittany, yearns to dance her way to stardom at the prestigious Paris Opera, and with her inventive friend Victor, they hatch a daring plan to escape their orphanage and head for Paris. In the bustling and vibrant city, with the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance, Félicie discovers the transformative power of dance, and with determination and resilience, she learns to overcome the odds and pursue her passion. Presented in partnership with The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, PS110 The Monitor School, and the Quebec Government Office in New York.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
FILMS ON THE GREEN is a free French film festival in New York City parks produced by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy, NYC Parks and FACE Foundation.
When it comes to discovering French films and TV shows for children to enjoy, the sheer number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why each month, CinéSchool program manager and film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a carefully curated list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some of the films or series are purely for entertainment, others are designed to teach useful educational concepts, and some are even great for the whole family to enjoy together! This month, in honor of Earth Day and our beautiful planet, we are pleased to highlight a selection of French films and TV shows that celebrate nature and promote environmental awareness.
Mia and the Migoo (Mia et le Migou) Directed by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, 2008, 1h31, PG, recommended for ages 6+
Mia sets out on a cross continent journey, though mountains and jungles in search of her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient Tree of Life, watched over by innocent, bumbling forest spirits called the Migoo. The Migoo have been disrupting the construction to protect this sacred site – and now together with Mia they join in a fight to find Mia’s father and save the Tree, with the future of life on Earth hanging in the balance.
Amazonia Directed by Thierry Ragobert, 2013, France-Brazil, 1h26, PG, recommended for ages 8+
Amazonia is an adventure inside the largest rainforest on the planet: the Amazon rainforest. Chestnut is a Capuchin monkey domesticated who survives a plane crash and finds himself alone in the dense forest. The monkey needs to learn to live in freedom, in a new world where animals of all kinds: Jaguars, alligators, snakes, tapirs, hawks. Gradually, Brown learns to live in the forest, making new friends, especially the monkey Gaia, their fellow species.
Canot Cocasse TV series, France-Canada, recommended for ages 5+
Nico, Julie and Pam are on vacation at 'Camp Manitou.' A magic canoe transports them in extraordinary adventures. Through their travels, the explorers discover a thousands things about nature and the universe.
Tomorrow (Demain) Directed by Mélanie Laurent and Cyril Dion, 2015, 1h58, France, documentary, PG, recommended for ages 12+
What if telling a story that gives hope by pointing out solutions was the best way to solve the ecological, economical and social crises that shake our world? Following the publication of a study forecasting the possible extinction of mankind by 2100, Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent travelled through 10 countries to understand the reasons for this upcoming catastrophe and to find out how to prevent it. During their journey, they met pioneers who are reinventing agriculture, energy, economy, democracy and education. By pulling together these positive, concrete and tested initiatives, they begin to see what could be the world of tomorrow…
Song of the Sea (Le Chant de la mer) Directed by Tomm Moore, 2014, 1h33, PG, Ireland-France-Belgium, recommended for ages 7+
Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.
Fire of Love Directed by Sara Dosa, 2022, 1h38, USA-Canada, documentary, PG, recommended for ages 14+
Katia and Maurice Krafft loved two things — each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the daring French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. Ultimately, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion, leaving a legacy that forever enriched our knowledge of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team fashion a lyrical celebration of the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive.
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs) Directed byGeorge Gordon, Bob Hathcock, Carl Urbano, Rudy Zamor, 1981, France-Belgium, animated TV series, recommended for ages 5+
In all there are 102 Smurfs, living in mushrooms that grow in a forest. Particularly fond of sarsaparilla, they all look deceptively alike but each has its own character! Their enemies? The wizard Gargamel and his ginger cat Azrael, who would dearly love to add them to their menu... Based on the books by Peyo.
White Mane (Crin Blanc, le Cheval Sauvage) Directed by Albert Lamorisse, 1952, France, 47 minutes, recommended for ages 6+
In the south of France, in a vast plain region called the Camargue, lives White Mane, a magnificent stallion and the leader of a herd of wild horses too proud to let themselves be broken by humans. Only Folco, a young fisherman, manages to tame him. A strong friendship grows between the boy and the horse, as the two go looking for the freedom that the world of men won't allow them. Long unavailable in the U.S., this extraordinarily shot wonder from Albert Lamorisse, the director of The Red Balloon, is a work of technical sophistication and immense natural beauty.
The Jungle Bunch (Les As de la Jungle) Directed by David Alaux, 2017, 1h38, PG, recommended for ages 8+
Maurice may look like a penguin - but he's a real tiger inside! Raised by a tigress, he's the clumsiest kung-fu master ever. Along with his friends, The Jungle Bunch, he intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle, as his mother did before he. But Igor, an evil koala, wants to destroy the jungle once and for all—helped by his army of silly baboons.
Asterix at the Olympic Games (Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques) Directed by Thomas Langmann and Frédéric Forestier, 2008, 1h57, recommended for ages 10+
In their new adventures, Asterix and Obelix come to the aid of their friend Alafolix, who must fight Brutus, Cesar’s son, to win both the Olympic Games and the hand of beautiful Irina. But heinous Brutus is determined to beat the Gaul and take his father’s place.
The Painting (Le Tableau) Directed by Jean-François Laguionie, 2011, 1h16, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 10+
In this wryly inventive parable, a kingdom within a painting is divided into three castes: the impeccably colored Alldunns, the incomplete Halfies, and the barely outlined Sketchies who are treated as outcasts. Chastised for her forbidden love of the dashing Ramo, Claire runs away into the cursed forest. Ramo and his friends journey after her, crossing over the boundaries of the forest only to arrive at the very edge of the painting – where they tumble through the canvas and into the Painter’s studio. The abandoned workspace is strewn with paintings, each containing its own vividly animated world and characters – and in a feast for both the eyes and the imagination, Ramo, Lola, Quill and Magenta explore picture after picture, in a quest to discover just what the Painter has in mind for his creations.
When asked for their favorite word or drawing since the site started in 2010, Sheppard cited "holy", noting that, as the illustrator, his favorite words are those with the best drawings. With this one, there was a debate over how to undertake it, because of the delicate nature of how people perceive and use the word.
Read more…
Bialystok's favorite part about writing the book was "putting it all together to tell a simple story. The book itself includes only a part of the research [she has done extensive studies on aging]; taking work I've done over decades and compressing it into a single story that's coherent.
Read more…
Welcome to New York City's new French dual-language program at PS149. The Sojourner Truth School, located in West Harlem (District 3) where 117th Street meets Lennox Avenue, is pioneering a bold new approach to French Dual Language instruction. Launched in September 2022, with students in Pre-Kindergarten, the school is building out a fully immersive Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Dual Language educational experience - producing students who are fully fluent (reading, writing, and speaking) in both French and English upon graduation. Embracing the most up to date pedagogical practices around dual language instruction, students will enter high school bilingual in every sense of the word - with a full appreciation of not only the French language, but of the culture and uniqueness of the Francophone world and what it means to be a part of this world.
With open enrollment available to all families within the five boroughs - whether French is spoken at home fluently, or there simply exists a desire to become immersed in the language and culture of those who speak French, all are welcome at Sojourner Truth. In the 2023-2024 school year the Dual Language Program will expand to include Kindergarten and First Grade, continuing to grow yearly until we reach our goal of a full Pre-K to Grade 8 French Dual Language Program - the only such one in all of New York City. Principal Flournoy White and her team look forward to families learning more about the powerful work being done here and having them join us as we collaboratively bring the French Dual Language Program to life.
For more information or to visit the school, please contact Jeffrey Perl at JPerl2@schools.nyc.gov
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
MyFrenchFilmFestival (From January 13 to February 13, 2023)
MyFrenchFilmFestival is a worldwide French film festival presented by Unifrance whose goal is to shine a spotlight on a new generation of French-language filmmakers.
Selection will be announced on January 5, 2023.
Available online here and on several US platforms/channels.
Zou
Directed byOlivier Lelardoux, animated TV series, recommended for ages 3+
Zou, a little five-year-old zebra, lives in a town inhabited only by zebras. He and his extended family live in a large house right next door to his best friend, Elzee. He is an imaginative and inquisitive foal, and he’s now old enough to start becoming his own person!
Directed by Nicolas Bary, 2008, 2h13, recommended for ages 13+
Welcome to Timpetill, a small, serene village. Well, not really that serene… Indeed, for several weeks, the children have been playing multiple practical jokes and nasty tricks. The victims are, of course, other children… but also, and most of all, the parents. Overwrought, they decide to leave the village for what they think will only be one day. But nothing happens as planned: on the way back, they are taken prisoner by a group of soldiers. In Timpetill, the news of a village without parents makes Oscar and his gang of thugs happy! But that isn’t the case of a few daredevils who decide to side with Manfred and Marianne to regain control of the village.
animated TV series, 2008-2017, 3 seasons, recommended for ages 9+
In a fantasy world, a mysterious figure leaves a baby boy with a retired bounty hunter in a small village with instructions to raise him until the time is right for him to find his biological family. Years later, that boy named Yugo discovers he has powerful magic abilities using the power of Wakfu even as his village is threatened.
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
If you like this series, you should like also this special series: Wakfu: The Quest for the Six Eliatrope Dofus Animated TV series, 2014, 1 season, recommended for ages 9+
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
Terra Willy: Unexplored Planet (Terra Willy, planète inconnue)
By Eric Tosti, 2019, 1h30, PG, recommended for ages 7+
Following the destruction of their ship, the young Willy is separated from his parents with whom he traveled in space. His spare capsule lands on a wild and unexplored planet. With the help of Buck, a survival robot, he will have to hold until the arrival of a rescue mission.
Weekend Family (Week-End Family) Created by Baptiste Filleul, 2022, season 1, TV-PG, recommended for ages 8+
Every weekend, Fred takes care of his girls Clara (15), Victoire (12), and Romy (9). Each has a different mother with whom she lives during the week. A new stepmother joins in this happy mix when Fred falls madly in love with Emma, a Canadian doctoral student in child psychology.
Available on Disney+ (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
With Bilingual Matters, Antonella Sorace challenges conventional wisdom about bilingualism
Antonella Sorace, an Italian living in Scotland, is the founder of Bilingualism Matters, an organization that advances research on bilingualism and language learning. Misconceptions in this area are rampant, and it is thanks to Antonella Sorace's work that we are now able to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that are often found in our schools and in our societies.
The Bilingual Revolution podcast is produced by French Morning with the participation of CALEC.
Listen to this new podcast episode In French on New York in French
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
To celebrate the holidays, IFcinémaà la carte is offering a selection of French short and feature films to watch for free from December 1 to 31!
En sortant de l’école : Claude Roy – 6 shorts from the serie: Le bestiaire incertain, L'oiseau futé, Etourdis étourneaux, L'enfant qui a la tête en l'air, L'escargot Capitaine au long cours, and La clé des champs (recommended for ages 6+)
Good Luck Algeria by Farid Bentoumi (recommended for ages 14+)
Les Invisibles by Louis Julien Petit (recommended for ages 16+)
A Town Called Panic: The Christmas Log (Panique au village : La bûche de Noël) By Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, 2013, 26 min., Belgium-France, recommended for ages 10+
The end-of-year celebrations are coming. Christmas: the tree, the dinner, the presents. Indian and Cowboy are expecting their presents eagerly. Overexcited by the organization of the celebration, they fight and destroy the Yule Log on which Horse was putting the last touch. Horse is livid and cancels the gifts from Santa Claus. How will they win back the favors of Horse and The Old Bearded Man? How will they retrieve their gifts ? For Indian and Cowboy, this is just the beginning of a long, very long Christmas Eve.
Christmas & Co (Santa & Cie) By Alain Chabat, 2017, 1h39, France-Belgium, PG, recommended for ages 12+
Santa's 92,000 elves all fall ill and collapse... simultaneously, on Christmas Eve! Who will make the toys for all the kids all around the world? He has no choice! Santa and his reindeer must go to Earth in search of a cure. But once he gets there, Mr. Claus will need some help to save the magic of Christmas...
Noël Noël By Nicola Lemay, 2003, 22 min., Canada, recommended for ages 6+
Noel Noël, a misguided billionaire, is in love with Beatrice, a bespectacled fairy. But thanks to little Zoey, her dog Snooze, and a blue-eyed reindeer, his eyes are finally opened. Enlivened by a humorous and rhymed narration spoken by Leslie Nielsen, Noel Noël is an animated fantasy about Christmas reminding us that happiness comes when the heart is allowed to speak.
Santa's Apprentice (L'apprenti Père Noël) By Luc Vinciguerra, 2010, 1h11, Australia-France-Ireland, PG, recommended for ages 6+
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan, and have a pure heart.
If you like this film, you should like also the sequel: The Magic Snowflake (L'Apprenti Père Noël et le flocon magique) ByLuc Vinciguerra, 2013, 1h25, France, recommended for ages 6+
Santa Claus (Le Père Noël) By Alexandre Coffre, 2014, 1h20, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 14+
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan, and have a pure heart.
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales(Le grand méchant renard et autres contes...) By Benjamin Renner & Patrick Imbert, 2017, 1h19, France-Belgium, PG / Recommended for ages 5+
The countryside isn't always as calm and peaceful as it's made out to be, and the animals on this farm are particularly agitated: a fox who mothers a family of chicks, a rabbit who plays the stork, and a duck who wants to be Santa Claus.
A Christmas Special - Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir(Pire Noël - Miraculous : Lesaventures de Ladybug et deChat Noir) Animated TV Series, 2016, 21 min., recommended for ages 7+
Parisian teen Marinette transforms herself into superhero Ladybug to find her lonely secret crush Adrien when he runs away from home at Christmas.
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
Lilou Directed by Rawan Rahim, 2015, 8 min., France-Lebanon, recommended for ages 8+ (no dialogue)
Lilou is sensitive and curious, but also paralyzed by unbearable shyness. She is given a gift that allows her to see the past of the people around her and this will suddenly bring her out of her introversion.
Available on Vimeo You can read an interview of director Rawan Rahim on NYICFF's website.
Do, Re & Mi Animated preschool series, recommended for ages 3+
Do, Re & Mi are three birdie best friends who live in Beebopsburgh, a town as musical as its inhabitants. From the piano keys sidewalk to the beat-notes bushes, music is its own character in this show and it’s everywhere!
Available on Prime Video (#tip: make sure to click on "Subtitles & Audio" and select audio in French!)
The Prince's Voyage (Le Voyage du Prince) Directed by Jean-François Laguionie & Xavier Picard, 2019 1h18, France-Canada-Luxembourg, recommended for ages 9+
When an old monkey Prince named Laurent runs aground on an unknown shore, he is found, injured and lost, by 12-year-old Tom. Prince Laurent is then taken in by Tom’s parents, a couple of scientists who were banished from their community because they believe in the existence of other monkey civilizations. With Tom’s help, the Prince discovers a society he knows nothing about, while Tom’s parents decide to use him to prove that their theory was indeed correct …
Aya of Yop City (Aya de Yopougon) Directed by Marguerite Abouet et Clement Oubrerie, 2013 1h28, France-The Ivory Coast, recommended for ages 16+
Set against the colorful and spirited backdrop of the Ivory Coast in the 1970s, Aya of Yop City is a vibrant, beautifully animated adaptation of the best-selling series of graphic novels by co-director Marguerite Abouet.
Aya is 19, and she loves her neighborhood of Yop City in Abidjan, where everyone knows each other. It’s always lively, with open markets, colorful fabrics, funky cafés and music everywhere. Her mom Fanta is the neighborhood’s most trusted healer. Her dad is a sales rep for a brewery, and certainly gets his fill of the product. While Aya has dreams of becoming a doctor, her two best friends, Adjoua and Bintou, just like to hang out and spend their evenings dancing, drinking and flirting with boys. Their ambition is to follow Plan C: Combs, Clothes and Chasing Men! But big trouble comes to town when Adjoua realizes she’s pregnant, and the baby’s father is the spoiled son of one of the richest and most feared men in the whole country. How can he possibly tell his old man?
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (Les Aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec) Directed by Luc Besson, 2010, 1h46, PG , recommended for ages 12+
The year is 1912. A 136 million-year old pterodactyl egg, housed in the Natural History Museum, has mysteriously hatched, unleashing a prehistoric monster onto the Parisian streets. But nothing fazes Adèle, when she finds a connection with the ancient bird and reveals many more extraordinary surprises.
Many parents and educators today ask: "How do I engage children in fun activities without screens?
This is precisely the question author Adrienne Mei Irving asked herself about her daughter while living in the southern port city of Marseilles, France.
Have a taste of Franglais Soup e, the mixture is wonderful.
Read more…
In her epic trilogy of strong women, wars and love, Professor Emerita of Italian and Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Columbia and Barnard in New York City, Maristella Lorch stitches memory into history for a compelling reflection on the personal and the public in the 20th century.
"Pleasure in writing, as in so many things in life, comes from the feeling of having succeeded in grasping that evanescent cloud; that image, that idea."
Read more…
Book-based discussions on bilingualism fill the role of a much-needed voice that can promote the inherent value of learning and teaching languages from birth, one that can influence policymakers, academics, and administrators and provide a space to discuss ideas and solutions to the challenges of educating bilingual children. In this follow-up to The Bilingual Revolution: The Future of Education is in Two Languages, Dr. Fabrice Jaumont delves deeper into the topics of bilingualism, bilingual education, and cognitive development through a series of conversations with world-renown experts from the Americas, Europe, and Africa: Ana Ines Ansaldo, Ellen Bialystok, Mbacké Diagne, Ofelia García, François Grosjean, and Christine Hélot.
Conversations on Bilingualism expands on the work of the author to advance multilingualism, empower multilingual families and linguistic communities, and foster cross-cultural understanding. It also advocates for language as a critical life skill through the development and implementation of strong educational programs that promote diversity and equality—as well as those that battle inequality head-on. With this book, the bilingual revolution is far from over; the movement for multilingualism and multiculturalism has just begun to take hold. It is not just about the battle for quality education but is also about self-awareness and the deepening of our understanding of ourselves as human beings—both as bilingual individuals and as members of multilingual communities. In Conversations on Bilingualism, Dr. Jaumont takes an unprecedented look at bilingualism as an essential life skill. Linguistic diversity is an untapped resource that can be harnessed not only to promote global equality, but also to optimize cognitive development, drive cultural understanding, and foster cross-cultural collaboration.
Two important points cut across the key areas discussed in this book: first, bilingualism is beneficial both for schools and society as a whole; second, multilingualism must be understood and taught properly to ensure the balanced cognitive development of children. This book will serve as a valuable resource for helping children and adult bilinguals alike to understand and develop their language skills, combat social inequalities, foster linguistic diversity and cross-cultural awareness, and advance education initiatives in their respective fields.
We need to come together to protect and celebrate linguistic diversity. This is not about making the choice for or against bilingualism or multilingualism, but rather about empowering multilingual families, communities, and institutions so that they can diversify the way they educate their children. Bilingual education has a real impact on the lives of millions of children around the world. We must do much more and much better. It is important to teach our children the most useful thing that languages have taught us for thousands of years - how to listen, think, and articulate – by making bilingualism a priority. A multilingual society is a healthy one.
The bilingual revolution is here to stay for many reasons, the most important being that it works. It works for children, individuals, societies, and the global marketplace. Whether you see it or not, bilingualism is growing and changing, much like the populations it represents. The sooner we understand and embrace this phenomenon, the better everyone will be able to adapt to change. This book aims to shed light on many of the issues surrounding bilingualism and multilingualism as well as provide a path towards a more inclusive future by expanding language resources for all of us.
Whether you are a teacher and want to know more about bilingual techniques or a parent and want to understand why your child is speaking another language than you: this book is for you. It contains public talks by experts combined with the author's personal perspective on bilingualism. This presents readers with both the ideas thrust upon families and the teaching practices discussed in the contemporary educational spheres. If you're interested in this topic, I highly recommend adding Conversations on Bilingualism to your reading list!
Caitlin Leib
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Order Conversations on Bilingualism here with coupon code NDI10
Please join us with your team in representing your country or your organization supporting our fundraising efforts for the French Heritage Language Program.
The French Football Academy, the Permanent Representation of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie to the United Nations, and the FACE Foundation, cordially invite you to the second edition of the Francophone Cup Tournament.
The Francophone Cup is a co-ed adult soccer tournament gathering teams, including employees of the United Nations, diplomatic missions, international corporations and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) who will compete to become the winner of the Francophone Cup in support of the French Heritage Language Program, which works to help francophone immigrants and young Americans with Francophone background maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage!
