Uplifting foreign films?

[FurrySlipperBoots]

My mum only really likes foreign films, but I always seem to end up buying her ones that turn out pretty depressing! The biggest hit was 'Le Petit Nicolas' which she thought was hilarious, but she wasn't so keen on the sequel. Can anyone recommend something along those lines? French or German would be ideal, but Italian is OK if there are subtitles. She loves animals and prefers 'nice' films, without much violence and nothing too raunchy.

Populaire is great too

Oh shit what's the one with Charlotte Gainsbourg as a fake girlfriend to a parfumier? It's sooo good

@FedUpWithBriiiiick

Oh shit what's the one with Charlotte Gainsbourg as a fake girlfriend to a parfumier? It's sooo good

I Do!

Jean de Florette? It's heartbreakingly tragic.

Life is Beautiful is sad but ultimately uplifting.

Goodbye Lenin is great.

There’s a film called Honeyland, more a documentary but very moving, about a woman living in a remote mountain area of Macedonia. She is a bee keeper (animal!). Then a family move next door. It’s a very moving story, about a kind, gentle person, in tune with her surroundings, who has very little material possessions and whose life is so different to anything in the UK. It’s a slow watch, but worth it. Won loads of awards, can’t remember if it’s on Amazon prime or Netflix, but you do need to rent or buy.

Has she tried watching Dix per Cent? It’s a french series, very funny, lots of cameos from A list french movie stars and the cutest dog since the dog in Fraser.

One of my favourite movies is “Monsoon Wedding”, set in India and directed by Mira Nair. However, almost all of it is in English.

The cinematography is superb and it really is an uplifting movie with lots of fun and drama. I’m sure your mum would enjoy it.....check out the reviews on Amazon.

It's a documentary but Etre et Avoir.

Life is Beautiful.

La famille Bélier

If she liked le petit Nicolas she may like Dubocu or Les Profs or Les Profs 2 (when they go to England).

Life is Beautiful is NOT uplifting. Not one of my Jewish friends felt that. They felt it made light of the Holocaust.

However the Japanese Shall We Dance is lovely
Il Postino has the most gorgeous cinematography.

Babettes feast

The French film Les Intouchables is great, and for something really touching try Le huitieme jour.
I loved the Spanish film La Misma Luna.

I just joined in to say Les Intouchables - completely wonderful movie and we’ve watched it many times. See a PP has beaten me to it. In French. There is a Hollywood remake but stick with the original.

Ok I haven't seen it but...

Bear with me.

I recently watched the 1963 film Paris When it Sizzles which is a light romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn, Tony Curtis, and William Holden. It has a surreal edge that I utterly adored. I lent it to my 80 year old mum who also loved it. While I was over at her house (no lockdown rules were broken) I borrowed her copy of Halliwell's film guide and looked it up. They said it was a remake of a French film and was dull and flat. The original, La fête à Henriette must be a bloody cracker if Paris when it Sizzles was dull by comparison.

I just bought a new sealed subtitled copy on eBay for a tenner (including delivery) from France.

www.ebay.fr/itm/254723600760

Oh and

Le Dîner de Cons is pretty funny. Based on a stage play it's a fast paced farce that just gets better each time I see it. My teenage daughter thought it was very funny. (Avoid the inevitable remake with Steve Carroll - it sucks.)

The Intouchables (2011)

Sand man I watched some of that on talking pictures tv last week was v stylish

@nitgel

Sand man I watched some of that on talking pictures tv last week was v stylish

Watched which?

Sorry paris when it sizzles

In Swedish, but I really love Together.

Another vote for Heartbreaker - very funny & Riviera scenery.

The Midwife is on IPlayer and I enjoyed it. La Belle Epoque via Curzon or is it BFI player I saw at a French cinema earlier this year and recommend it.

Barbara (German) - think it's uplifting. Definitely brilliant

Yes and it gives an interesting view of life in the provinces in the former East Germany.
I was less keen on Goodbye Lenin. Partly, as an emetophobe I did not enjoy the vomiting scenes, it also I thought it gave too rosy a view of life in the GDR.
I’d recommend Lives of Others for some balance.