Au bonheur des ogres (The Scapegoat)

Each week, FrenchFlicks selects a French film available on TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand. The streaming service presents an assortment of 30 French language films including recent releases and timeless classics, festival favorites, films and series never before seen on television in the US!

This week, we selected for you a family-oriented cartoonish comedy based on a novel by popular French author Daniel Pennac.

Au bonheur des ogres

There is something strange - some would even say abnormal - about the Malaussène family. But if you take a closer look, no one could be happier than this cheerfully chaotic family, even though their mother is usually off on one romantic adventure or another. Life is never a bore for Benjamin Malaussène, professional scapegoat and the older brother responsible for this horde of kids. But when incidents happen wherever he goes, police and colleagues begin to eye him suspiciously. It soon becomes a matter of life and death to find out what is going on and who is so interested in ruining his life.

The film’s over-the-top tone recalls Tim Burton and the Coen brothers at their most outlandish, though its sinister humor and occasional sexual gibes make it more French than anything else. Composed of eye-popping, realistic decors by Bettina von den Steinen (Julie & Julia), with several scenes shot in the actual Galeries Lafayette in Paris, the set pieces paint a surreal and sinister portrait of the modern-day retail world” – The Hollywood Reporter

Directed by: Nicolas Bary
Cast: Raphaël Personnaz, Bérénice Bejo, Guillaume De Tonquédec
Genre: Comedy
Subtitles: English

TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand is now available available via streaming with Sling TV

Now also available:  On a failli êtres amies, La jalousie, Party Girl, La Liste de mes envies, Maintenant ou jamaisand much more.

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