Signis

La Fille du Puisatier/ The Well Digger’s Daughter

(JPEG)

France, 2011, Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Kad Merad, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Directed by Daniel Auteuil Were we to mention Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, many audiences, especially those who were charmed and fascinated by the films of the 1980s, would be on the alert. These two stories were written by the prolific Marcel Pagnol. In fact, there have been several versions of a number of Pagnol’s stories, including some written and directed by Pagnol himself. There have also been some American versions of his trilogy of life in the south of France, Marius, Fanny and Cesar.

The Well-digger’s Daughter takes us into the same area of France, Provence, as Jean de Florette. The girl of the title (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) turns eighteen as the film opens. She cares for her younger brothers and sisters and takes lunch to her well-digging father and his friend. The same day, she encounters a young aviator, son of the local store owner, who carries her across the river and back. When her father’s friend, who would like to marry the daughter, offers to take her to an air show where the young man features, she goes. An exemplary young woman, this decision leads her to some deceptions and the fate of so many young girls in stories like this.

Attention then turns to the father, his dismay at what his daughter has done, his anger at the parents of the young man, his wanting her away from the family. But, as might be guessed, when he eventually sees the baby, he is won over and wants the baby to bear his name.

It is the time of World War I and both the young man and the father’s friend go to war. There are also complications - whether the young man knew what had happened, whether he was shot down behind enemy lines, whether his parents would come to terms with the situation.

Pagnol’s stories are often about very good people (think Jean de Forette himself). There are some villains (think of the uncle and nephew in Jean de Florette and Manon). But, basically, Pagnol believes in the goodness of human nature, in forgiveness and reconciliation and that love is a foundation of life and happiness.

That villainous nephew in Jean and Manon was played by Daniel Auteuil. Since then, Auteuil has become one of France’s great actors. And, now, he has adapted the Pagnol story, directed his first film and plays the well-digger, a fine achievement. In fact, he is planning a trilogy of films on Pagnol’s Marius, Fanny and Cesar. Pagnol has found a devoted and skilled interpreter.

Filmed in beautiful settings and re-creating the period, this is well worth seeing.

Peter Malone