Watching French films isn’t just entertainment — it’s a language lesson wrapped in cinema, culture, and charm. Every line, every sigh, every “oh là là” carries layers of meaning.
If you’re streaming on France Channel, you already have access to a treasure trove of France’s greatest films — but what if you could understand them like a local?
Here’s your French Film Vocabulary Starter Pack — essential words and phrases that will make every movie on France Channel feel a little more alive, a little more français.
1. Le Film
Let’s start simple. Le film means “the movie,” but in French, cinema isn’t just an industry — it’s an art form.
You’ll often hear le cinéma d’auteur — literally “author cinema” — referring to films driven by a director’s unique artistic vision (think Truffaut, Godard, or Céline Sciamma).
Use it like a local:
“J’adore le cinéma français, c’est tellement poétique.”
I love French cinema, it’s so poetic.
2. Le Tournage
This means “the shoot” or “filming.” When a director says “on est en tournage”, it means production is happening.
French film culture reveres the process as much as the product — the tournage is where magic and mayhem collide.
Spot it in dialogue:
“Le tournage a été un cauchemar, mais le film est magnifique.”
The shoot was a nightmare, but the movie turned out beautiful.
3. Les Acteurs & Les Actrices
In French, acteur and actrice are used much as in English, but there’s nuance: the French place great respect on le jeu (the performance itself).
Actors aren’t just entertainers; they’re interpreters of emotion and style. Watch any French film on France Channel and notice how much meaning is in the silence between lines.
Try this:
“Cet acteur joue avec une telle subtilité.”
That actor performs with such subtlety.
4. Le Scénario
This is the screenplay — literally, the script that defines the story. A bon scénario can make or break a French film, especially since so many rely on dialogue and atmosphere rather than explosions or spectacle.
Phrase to remember:
“Le scénario est intelligent, tout en simplicité.”
The screenplay is smart, yet simple.
5. Les Sous-Titres
If you’re learning French, les sous-titres (subtitles) are your secret weapon.
France Channel allows viewers to toggle between French and English subtitles — perfect for training your ear. Try watching once with English, then again in French to catch how meanings shift.
Useful tip:
The French subtitle often tightens dialogue — it’s shorter and snappier. Listen for what’s not said.
7. Le Chef-D’Œuvre
A chef-d’œuvre (literally “masterpiece”) is a film that transcends — one that lingers. The French use the term freely, not just for old classics but for any movie that feels emotionally or aesthetically complete.
Say it when you’re moved:
“C’est un vrai chef-d’œuvre du cinéma contemporain.”
It’s a real masterpiece of contemporary cinema.
8. Le Rôle
Just like in English — it means “role” or “part.”
But the French often distinguish between le premier rôle (the lead role) and le second rôle (supporting role). The latter is considered an art in itself — subtle, precise, often stealing the spotlight.
Phrase you’ll hear in interviews:
“Elle a enfin obtenu un premier rôle après des années de théâtre.”
She finally landed a leading role after years in theater.
9. Le Drame
In France, le drame doesn’t just mean “a sad story.” It’s a genre — serious, emotional, human.
Watch Les Choses de la Vie or Portrait de la jeune fille en feu on France Channel, and you’ll feel how le drame is about quiet revelations, not just tragedy.
Use it well:
“J’aime les drames où tout repose sur les silences.”
I love dramas where everything rests on the silences.
10. La Comédie
Yes — “comedy.” But French comedy isn’t always laugh-out-loud; it’s often witty, ironic, tinged with melancholy. La comédie française values dialogue and timing over slapstick.
If you want to understand French humor, watch Le Dîner de Cons or OSS 117 on France Channel — and listen for tone as much as words.
Cultural tip:
The line between la comédie and le drame is often very thin — and that’s the beauty of it.
Bonus: “Cut!”, “Action!”, and Other Set Secrets
● Action ! → Same as English, pronounced ahk-syohn!
● Coupez ! → “Cut!”
● Silence, on tourne ! → “Quiet on set!” (literally “Silence, we’re filming!”)
● C’est dans la boîte ! → “It’s in the can!” (We’ve got the shot.)
These little phrases make any behind-the-scenes documentary — or France Channel interview segment — much more fun to follow.
Ready to Watch Differently
French cinema isn’t meant to be understood so much as felt — but knowing a few key words lets you step inside the rhythm of the language, not just the story.
So the next time you open France Channel, turn on les sous-titres en français, grab a notebook (carnet), and jot down the lines that stay with you. Because every film is a chance to learn — not just vocabulary, but a way of seeing.
As the French might say:
“Le cinéma, c’est la vie en plus intense.”
Cinema is life — but more intense