Films, series, sports: What to watch in September to help improve your French

Tune your ear to the language and stay abreast of modern French culture by catching up on the best that France has to offer on TV and in the cinema in September. Here are our six recommendations for the month.

The Paralympic Games - France télévisions

The Paralympics are in full swing, but set to conclude on September 8, bring an end to France’s busy summer of sport.

Watching the games from France offers a different perspective on the Games, as French coverage focuses on French athletes. 

However, commentary in French is a great way to tune your ear: commentators react to what is happening on screen, meaning that even if you do not know what they are saying, you almost always know what they are talking about. 

French commentary is also a joy to listen to as commentators tend to display more passion and joy in watching the sports than their English equivalents do. 

Read more: Comment: Olympics were all about cash but will leave positive legacy

Le Prénom - Netflix

This is a comedy set and shot in a single location following a group of friends over the course of an evening.

Vincent and Anna are soon to become parents, and the announcement of their future child’s name causes intense debate around the dinner table which leads to secrets and opinions being uncovered. 

The film is a clever investigation about what names can say about a person, their background and their family. 

After its release in 2012, it was nominated for five Césars, winning two for best supporting actor and actress.

Mixte 1963 - Amazon Prime

This drama series is about a boys school which opens its doors to girls for the first time.

To begin with, only a small number of girls arrive at the school, and while the headmaster is very excited by the prospect of change, the deputy head and his wife are more concerned about how things will play out. 

Of course, there are numerous problems as well as learning curves for the students and teachers alike, with the storylines offering insight into the social issues of this period in time. 

Set in the early sixties, everything from the costumes to the setting of this series is well done. 

En Thérapie - Canal+ and Arte.tv

This drama series, set in a psychoanalyst’s office in the centre of Paris, revolves around therapist Philippe Dayan and his weekly patients. 

Mr Dayan see’s five patients a week before he himself goes to his own therapist on a Friday evening. 

Ranging from a police officer to a sporty teenager competing at a high level, the viewer is a fly on the wall during someone’s therapy session in each episode .

Season 2 takes place during the coronavirus lockdown and explores the lives and sessions of new patients. 

Fêlés - In cinemas

This new film by Christophe Duthuron is based on the true story of L’Arc-en-ciel association, which provides a home and support for people facing psychological difficulties following traumatic incidents in their lives, helping them to reintegrate into society. 

When the home is ordered to close by the mayor, the volunteers must somehow find enough money to buy the plot of land in order to save the charity. 

Despite the serious nature of the subject at hand, the film is light, funny and heartwarming - a must-see. 

Read more: Why US filmmakers are flocking to France right now 

Emily in Paris - Netflix

This controversial but undeniably feel-good show is a light-hearted comedy about an American in Paris.

As the series enters its fourth season, it features more and more French conversation sprinkled amongst the English dialogue with increasingly ludicrous storylines and even more outlandish outfits.

The series offers pure escapism and an idealistic view of life in Paris. Watch it with French subtitles and use it as an opportunity to learn some new vocabulary while dreaming of living in a chambre de bonne in the Marais.