Can I find French movies or TV shows with subtitles in Mumbai?

Alliance Française Bombay
3 min readMay 30, 2024

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Learning French from an institute is essential, but you must practice after your classes. With practice, you can gain proficiency in the language. This practice comes by speaking to native speakers or friends who are also learning French. Another good way to learn the language is to watch their movies and TV shows. Undeniably, it is an entertaining way to get a hold of French. You can capture some words by watching a movie or TV series. The best thing is that you can learn some slang words used by people in French-speaking countries.

French film festivals are conducted in India, and many contemporary French films are screened in theaters in Mumbai. You get an opportunity to watch those movies and measure your language proficiency. Watching the film will let you know how much you can understand. These movies are sometimes screened at PVR Juhu and Liberty Cinema, among other venues.

The best thing is that historically, entry has been free for this festival and it is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. The entry tickets are generally made available for the first 45 minutes at the venue before the start of the show. Bonjour-India — Festival of France has toured major cities in India to perform cultural exchange programs. As part of this program, there is a cultural exchange of different fields in India and France, such as art, literature, education, sports, fashion, photography, and performing arts. The main aim of this festival is to promote contemporary French cinema in India.

However, no worries if you still wish to watch more French films. AF Bombay keeps on screening the latest and old French films often. However, it would help if you were a member of this French learning institute since most of the screenings are for members only. The membership will let you access French novels, magazines, and textbooks from its library. Every week, the French Movie Screenings at AF Bombay happen at Churchgate, where you can enjoy watching the movie with English subtitles. On top of that, you also get to participate in French cultural events and programs.

Some of the online resources where you have a vast selection of French films and shows:

TV5MONDE

TV5MONDE is a channel that is available through different cable providers. Access to this will let you watch French movies and series through your phone. You can also watch French TV on TV. It is a good source for French learners to get hold of the language by learning new words and accents quickly. There are movies and videos of different lengths to play and study.

Arte

Arte is the German-French network and is an ideal place to watch French films and shows. It also offers classic French documentaries and replays of your favorite French artist concerts.

Incorporating French movies and TV shows into your learning routine can significantly enhance your proficiency in the language. Mumbai offers several opportunities to immerse yourself in French cinema, from film festivals to screenings at AF Bombay. These venues provide an engaging way to learn new vocabulary, understand cultural nuances, and pick up colloquial expressions used by native speakers.

For those who prefer watching from home, channels like TV5MONDE and Arte offer a wide selection of French films and shows with subtitles, making it easier to follow along and improve your language skills. Whether you’re attending a film festival or streaming online, these resources will enrich your learning experience and bring you closer to mastering French. Embrace these opportunities, and soon you’ll find yourself more fluent and confident in the language. Happy learning!

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