Movie spotlight
In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their flowers, and are dismayed to hear that the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block up the spring and watch as their new neighbour tries to keep his crops watered from wells far afield through the hot summer. Though they see his desperate efforts are breaking his health and his wife and daughter's hearts, they think only of getting the water.
In rural Provence, a greedy uncle and his nephew conspire to trick a tax collector, Jean Cadoret, into buying a farm with a hidden spring, intending to let him die of thirst and inherit the land. Jean, an optimistic tax collector with a passion for growing flowers, and his family move to the arid property. His death, however, is not as simple as they planned.
Jean de Florette was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its stunning cinematography, compelling performances, and masterful storytelling. It is often cited as a modern classic of French cinema, praised for its nuanced portrayal of human nature, greed, and the harsh realities of rural life.
Praised for its powerful performances, particularly from Depardieu and Auteuil.
Lauded for its evocative depiction of the Provençal landscape and atmosphere.
Recognized for its gripping narrative exploring themes of greed and human desperation.
Google audience: Audiences widely appreciated the film's strong acting, beautiful scenery, and compelling, dramatic story. Many found it to be a moving and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Nominated for 10 César Awards, winning Best Actor (Daniel Auteuil) and Best Original Screenplay. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The film was shot back-to-back with its sequel, 'Manon des Sources' (1986), also directed by Claude Berri and starring many of the same actors. The two films are based on Marcel Pagnol's novels.
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"Ugolin" (Daniel Auteuil) returns from the war to his wealthy uncle "Papet" (Yves Montant) with some inspiration. He doesn't divulge his cunning plan until he is ready, and then presents the man with some perfectly cultivated carnations. It...
**The power of envy and the ineffectiveness of farming by handbooks.** The film is quite good, perhaps one of the best French films I've seen this year, which whets the appetite for the sequel, which is reputed to be even better. Simple,...
sub·tle (adjective) Definition: making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something. One of the most celebrated French films of the 1980s, and with good reason. I don't think there's ever been a film that better depicts evil so...