A fiber optic cable , comprising: (A) core elements comprising: (i) an optical fiber ; and (ii) a buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber ; (B) a multi-layered flame-retardant film structure surrounding the core elements , characterized in that the multi-layered film structure comprises: (i) a first film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the first film has an average thickness over a 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers, wherein the first film is the interior-most layer of the multi-layered flame-retardant film structure , and wherein the first film includes a polar material and the adjoining buffer tube includes a nonpolar material or vice versa so that the first film does not bond or has reduced bonding to the adjoining buffer tube , and (ii) a second film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the second film has an average thickness over the 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers. (A) core elements comprising: (i) an optical fiber ; and (ii) a buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber ; (i) an optical fiber ; and (ii) a buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber ; (B) a multi-layered flame-retardant film structure surrounding the core elements , characterized in that the multi-layered film structure comprises: (i) a first film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the first film has an average thickness over a 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers, wherein the first film is the interior-most layer of the multi-layered flame-retardant film structure , and wherein the first film includes a polar material and the adjoining buffer tube includes a nonpolar material or vice versa so that the first film does not bond or has reduced bonding to the adjoining buffer tube , and (ii) a second film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the second film has an average thickness over the 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers. (i) a first film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the first film has an average thickness over a 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers, wherein the first film is the interior-most layer of the multi-layered flame-retardant film structure , and wherein the first film includes a polar material and the adjoining buffer tube includes a nonpolar material or vice versa so that the first film does not bond or has reduced bonding to the adjoining buffer tube , and wherein the first film is the interior-most layer of the multi-layered flame-retardant film structure , and wherein the first film includes a polar material and the adjoining buffer tube includes a nonpolar material or vice versa so that the first film does not bond or has reduced bonding to the adjoining buffer tube , (ii) a second film comprising an extrudable polymer that includes a base material and a flame-retardant filler material, wherein the second film has an average thickness over the 10-meter length of the cable that is less than 500 micrometers. <EOS>