The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 25 May 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to.
The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 25 May 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full text and audio here or on Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.
tourné avec trois fois rien
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The snippet in English
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Ce film, c’est Un simple accident, que le journal résume ainsi : « une comédie noire sur la revanche du petit peuple contre un ancien tortionnaire, tourné avec trois fois rien et qui tient aussi bien du thriller que de la comédie et du grand film politique ». « L’émotion l’a terrassé sur son siège pendant quelques secondes, alors que la salle se levait pour l’applaudir », raconte la Tribune Dimanche, il remporte « la Palme d’or de l’engagement et de la liberté ».
The film is Un simple accident, which the newspaper sums up as follows: “a black comedy about the revenge of the little people against a former torturer, shot on a shoestring and as much a thriller as a comedy as a great political film”. “Emotion overcame him in his seat for a few seconds, as the audience rose to applaud him”, says La Tribune Dimanche, winning ‘the Palme d’or for commitment and freedom’.
Translated with Deepl.
What does “résume ainsi” mean?
Résume ainsi means summarizes as follows or summarizes it like this—used to introduce a concise statement or conclusion.
Il résume ainsi sa pensée : la liberté avant tout (He sums up his thinking like this: freedom above all).
It’s neutral and formal, often found in academic, journalistic, or analytical writing.
What does “la revanche du petit peuple” mean?
La revanche du petit peuple means the revenge of the little people—a figurative expression describing a moment when ordinary, often overlooked or oppressed people push back, succeed, or reclaim dignity or power.
Ce film raconte la revanche du petit peuple face aux élites (This film tells the story of the little people’s revenge against the elites)
It’s informal, sometimes emotional or political, and can carry tones of justice, rebellion, or social commentary. In France, it’s used in journalism, cinema, or politics to evoke underdog triumph. In Quebec and Francophone Africa, it’s understood similarly, often resonating in contexts of inequality or popular resistance.
Peuple means people—as in a group united by culture, history, or nationality. It’s a collective noun and can carry very different tones depending on context: neutral, noble, political, or even dismissive.
💡 Not to confuse with gens (people in general, more casual) or personnes (individuals). Peuple refers to a collective body, often tied to identity or power.
What does “tourné avec trois fois rien” mean?
Tourné avec trois fois rien means shot with almost nothing—used to describe a film made with very little budget, equipment, or resources.
Ce film a été tourné avec trois fois rien, mais il est incroyable (This film was shot with next to nothing, but it’s amazing)
It’s informal and admiring, often highlighting creativity or resourcefulness. In France, the expression trois fois rien is common and means almost nothing in a modest or understated way. In Quebec and Francophone Africa, it’s also used to emphasize doing a lot with limited means, especially in creative or informal settings.
It comes from “tourner” meaning to film. And the expression here doesn’t mean three times nothing = zero—it means: almost nothing, next to nothing, or barely anything. It exaggerates how little there is, often with a tone of irony or modesty.
What does “tient aussi” mean?
Tient aussi means also holds or also maintains, depending on context.
Ce discours tient aussi à son expérience personnelle (This speech also stems from his personal experience)
It comes from tenir, which can mean to hold, to be based on, or to depend on.
In casual speech, ça tient aussi à… means it also comes down to… or it’s also due to…. It’s neutral and often used to explain additional reasons or contributing factors.
What does “l’a terrassé” mean?
L’a terrassé means crushed him, brought him down, or overwhelmed him—used when something strikes with great force, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically.
La maladie l’a terrassé (The illness struck him down)
It comes from terrasser, meaning to defeat or flatten. Common in serious or dramatic contexts like illness, grief, exhaustion, or combat. In France and across the Francophone world, it often conveys sudden, total collapse—more intense than just losing.
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The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 25 May 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 25 May 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we…
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