Story of Women (1988)
"Une affaire de femmes" (original title)

During World War II, in occupied France, a woman of limited schooling raises two children in a ratty flat. She is Marie Latour. In 1941, her husband Paul returns from the front, too weak to... See full summary »

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Colo Tavernier (scenario & adaptation), Claude Chabrol (scenario & adaptation),

Stars:

Isabelle Huppert, François Cluzet, Marie Trintignant

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 13 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Huppert	...	Marie
François Cluzet	...	Paul
Marie Trintignant	...	Lulu / Lucie
Nils Tavernier	...	Lucien
Lolita Chammah	...	Mouche #2
Aurore Gauvin	...	Mouche #1
Guillaume Foutrier	...	Pierrot #1
Nicolas Foutrier	...	Pierrot #2
Marie Bunel	...	Ginette
Dominique Blanc	...	Jasmine
Evelyne Didi	...	Fernande
Dani	...	Loulou
François Maistre	...	Le président Lamarre-Coudray
Vincent Gauthier	...	Me Fillon / Judge Fillon
Myriam David	...	Rachel

Storyline

During World War II, in occupied France, a woman of limited schooling raises two children in a ratty flat. She is Marie Latour. In 1941, her husband Paul returns from the front, too weak to hold a job. Marie discovers she can make money performing abortions, using a soapy water douche. Many of her clients are knocked up by occupying Germans. She buys better food and clothes, looks for a new flat, and, through an acquaintance who is a prostitute, rents out her bedrooms to hookers during the day. She's indifferent to Paul; his humiliations grow as does her income. She hopes to be a singer. Male Vichy umbrage and moral hypocrisy may upend her. What is she thinking?

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | hooker | children | abortion | seven year old | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Story of Women

Filming Locations:

Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, France

Box Office

Gross:

$438,483 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MK2 Productions, Films A2, Films du Camélia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based upon the true story of Marie-Louise Giraud.

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Soundtracks

"La chanson du maçon"
Written by Henri Betti - Maurice Vandair
Perfommed by Maurice Chevalier

User Reviews

If we ask for forgiveness, we might not go to hell.

Definitely one of director Claude Chabrol's best films, if not his best.

It is based upon a true story out of Nazi occupied France, and stars the incredible Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher, 8 Women). She is supported by Marie Trintignant (Harrison's Flowers), who had her career cut short by an untimely death.

Huppert finds a way to feed her family. She performs abortions and rents out rooms to prostitutes. Everything seems to be going well for her, but her husband is not happy about the fact that he hasn't had any in 10 years, and she now has a lover - he turns her in.

France is now rid of the Germans and is trying to restore her morality. Unfortunately, Marie to be made an example.

Huppert was great, and Trintigant was also very good.