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1. Les Intouchables (2011)

English Title: The Intouchables
Genre: Biographical Dramedy
IMDb: 8.5 / 10

Probably one of the most famous French movies, Les Intouchables is the award-winning movie based on the true story of a wealthy paraplegic who hires a black personal care-giver from the banlieue. Two worlds collide and yet, each of these men become the richer for it. A must-see.

2. Joyeux Noël (2005)

English Title: Merry Christmas
Genre: Historical Drama, Music
IMDb: 7.7 / 10

This emotional movie is based on a number of different events that took place on Christmas 1914 (among others) in the trenches during World War I. This is a trilingual movie (French, English and German).

3. J’Accuse (2019)

English Title: An Officer and a Spy
Genre: Historical Drama, Thriller
IMDb: 7.2 / 10

This movie is based on one of the biggest political and military scandals to have ever hit France. In 1894, Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish officer is sent into lifelong exile after being falsely accused of high treason for being a spy for Germany. Things start getting hairy and dangerous when lieutenant colonel Marie-Georges Picquart discovers who the real spy is and tries to get Justice for Dreyfus.

The title of the movie J’accuse (I accuse) refers to Emile Zola’s famous article in Le Figaro where he exposes all the actors in Alfred Dreyfus’s set-up.

4. Des Hommes et des Dieux (2010)

English Title: Of Gods and Men
Genre: Historical Drama
IMDb: 7.2 / 10

Algeria, 1995. On the brink of the Algerian Civil War, a group of French monks stationed in a monastery need to decide whether they are going to leave the country for their safety or whether they will continue to serve the local Muslim population, at the peril of their own lives.

This award-winning movie is based on a true story.

Warning: Contains some very graphic violence (beheadings).

5. L’Incroyable Histoire du Facteur Cheval (2018)

English Title: The Ideal Palace
Genre: Biographical and Historical Drama, Architecture
IMDb: 7.2 / 10

This is the incredible story of Ferdinand Cheval, an ordinary postman, who one day decides to build a palace for his daughter Alice, based on images of exotic postcards and magazines he has to distribute and also inspired by nature.

6. Sauver ou Périr (2018)

English Title: Through the Fire
Genre: Drama
IMDb: 7.0 / 10

Paris, 1990s. A young married firefighter, father of two little girls, finds himself caught in a fire after rescuing some of this men. After weeks in a coma, months of rehab and excruciating physical, emotional and psychological pain, he has yet to face his greatest battles.

The movie raises some very good questions and issues such as body image, social stigmas and norms around physical appearance, PTSD and how it affects relationships, the worth of a life vs material things, and much more.

Inspired by true events (but romanticized for the story).

Warning: Contains one very graphic nude scene.

7. Bienvenue à Marly-Gomont (2016)

English Title: The African Doctor
Genre: Biographical Dramedy
IMDb: 7.0 / 10

This movie is a dramedy based on the life of Doctor Seyolo Zantoko, originally from Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). After completing his medical studies in France and obtaining a French degree, he accepts a post in a remote French village. The inhabitants, however have never seen any black people yet and are wary of the newcomer and his family.

A bittersweet yet entertaining story full of stereotypes and cultural clashes, misunderstandings and prejudices.

Trigger Warning: Racism

8. Jappeloup (2013)

English Title: Jappeloup
Genre: Biographical Drama, Equestrian Sport
IMDb: 6.7 / 10

In the early 1980s, Pierre Durand, Jr. gives up on his career as a lawyer to devote himself to his passion: show jumping. He purchases the horse Jappeloup and starts preparing for the Summer Olympics.

An inspiring story of defeat vs winning, determination vs giving up, shortcomings vs talent, hope vs despair and, most of all, how our journeys and our relationships shape us along the way.

Note: Interestingly, the lead actor Guillaume Canet had intended to become a professional show jumper himself, until his fall from his horse at age 18 killed that dream and he became a great actor instead.