La fille du puisatier (2011)

In 1930s southern France, a father is torn between his sense of honor and his deep love for his daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.

Director:

Daniel Auteuil

Writers:

Marcel Pagnol (early screenplay), Daniel Auteuil (adaptation)

Stars:

Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Nicolas Duvauchelle

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Auteuil	...	Le Puisatier (Pascal Amoretti)
Kad Merad	...	Félipe Rambert
Sabine Azéma	...	Mme Mazel
Jean-Pierre Darroussin	...	M. Mazel
Nicolas Duvauchelle	...	Jacques Mazel
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey	...	Patricia Amoretti
Emilie Cazenave	...	Amanda
Marie-Anne Chazel	...	Nathalie
Coline Bosso	...	Isabelle
Chloé Malarde	...	Marie
Brune Coustellier	...	Léonore
Ilona Porte	...	Roberte
Jean-Louis Barcelona	...	Le commis
Patrick Bosso	...	Le garçon
François-Eric Gendron	...	Le capitaine

Storyline

Provence, the days before World War II. Rustic well-digger Pascal Amoretti, a widower, encourages fellow laborer Félipe Rambert to date his virgin eldest daughter Patricia, the only of his five who attended a Parish finishing school. Getting drunk, Felipe unwittingly helps her date wealthy general store owner Mazel's handsome, womanizing son, dashing air force pilot Jacques, who gives her a motorbike ride home, make love and get her pregnant. Shortly after, both men are called for military service. On leave, Felipe finds out the truth and still proposes. Jacques is reported missing in action, his family refuses to recognize the baby, so Pascal sends Patricia with it to his outcast sister.

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Plot Keywords:

large family | kiss | world war two | picnic | paternity | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

20 April 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

A Filha do Pai

Filming Locations:

Brignoles, Var, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,273, 22 July 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$385,406, 17 March 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Alain Sarde, Zack Films, Pathé

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jacques motorcycle is a Triumph Speed Twin 5T.

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Goofs

When Pascal visits her sister Nathalie to check on Patricia, Nathalie is heard humming Nina Rota's Romeo and Juliet theme, which wasn't written until 1968.

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Connections

Remake of The Well-Digger's Daughter (1940)

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Soundtracks

La Marseillaise
Written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Les Grandes Marches de la République
Orchestre d'Harmonie des Gardiens de la Paix de la Préfecture de Paris
Avec l'autorisation de Cprella-Le Label des Vents

User Reviews

A powerful and emotional drama of Provence in days gone by

Another reviewer has rightly pointed out that the title of this film in English is going to keep audiences away from the English-speaking cinemas in droves. But the original French title of which it is a translation, LA FILLE DU PUISATIER, had to be retained in France. That is because it is a remake of a famous and classic film of 1940 directed by Marcel Pagnol from his own novel, and thus it needed to have the same title, so that French people would know what it was. The screenplay adaptation of the remake is by Daniel Auteuil, who also directed the film and starred in it (playing the part of the well-digger). Auteuil, one of France's most famous actors, has a long history of association with Marcel Pagnol's tales of early 20th century Provence. Those who like French movies will certainly remember the pair of immensely popular films based on Pagnol novels which were directed by Claude Berri and starred Daniel Auteuil, JEAN DE FLORETTE and MANON DES SOURCES (both 1986). At the moment three further Pagnol remakes are being filmed, with Auteuil in the leading role of César, of Pagnol's famous trilogy of films, known as 'The Marseilles Trilogy'. The individual tiles of the trilogy are CÉSAR, FANNY, and MARIUS. Let us hope that a full-fledged Pagnol revival gets going, as the old films as well as the new are a pure delight. Credit for keeping the flame alive must go to Pagnol's remarkable daughter, whom I visited long ago in her office on the far side of the Periphérique. She is a powerful and determined personality and she kept the old Pagnol films in distribution and arranged for all the new ones to be made, and is a fierce guardian of the integrity and continuity of the family's creative flame. The Pagnol films are about 'real people' in the South of France, where Pagnol came from, and the thick accents in the Marseilles Trilogy are a marvel to the ear, and as different from Parisian French as a Mississippi drawl is from the speech of an inhabitant of Brooklyn, or as an impenetrable Glasgow accent is from the way they speak in London. This film is a pure delight, beautifully directed by Auteuil, and featuring as his eldest daughter (the one of the title) a fresh young actress of the utmost charm named Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, aged 25, who is part Spanish and as beautiful as a rose petal sparking with Provencal dew in the morning. The story allows her to have been sent away and educated in Paris, to explain why she does not speak like the locals. She is absolutely perfect casting, has all the right qualities for the part, and does a wonderful job. Auteuil is, as usual, superb. The rest of the cast are also excellent. This is a very poignant and emotional tale, as Pagnol stories usually are, and I would rate it as an instant classic. Everyone should see it, though outside of France, I wonder how many really will. It would be a shame for anyone who enjoys and looks forward to a superb French film to miss it, as this is in the top rank.