LA FILLE DU PUISATIER / THE WELL-DIGGER’S DAUGHTER

France, 2011, 107 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Auteuil, Kad Merad, Sabine Azema, Jean- Pierre Darroussin, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Astrid Berges- Frisbey, Emilie Cazenave.
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 Florette 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.

1. The work of Marcel Pagnol? His novels? The many film versions?

2. Pagnol’s theme of goodness in the human community, failures, sin, reparation? Hope?

3. The location photography, the town, the homes, the shops, the Provence countryside? Fields, river, forests? The air show? The musical score?

4. The particularly French tone of the film, its atmosphere? Its drawing on classic French films? The work of Daniel Auteuil, his previous Pagnol films, acting and directing, writing?

5. The title, the focus on Pascal Amoretti as well as on Patricia?

6. The introduction, Patricia, her eighteenth birthday, her beauty, her charm, bringing the lunch to her father and to Felipe? Her encounter with Jacques? Her demure manner, his carrying her over the river, her return? Going to her father and Felipe, the chat about the birthday?

7. Her story, her father telling Felipe? His wife, the succession of daughters, his wife’s death, Patricia going to Paris, returning at the age of fifteen, educated, with a Parisian accent? Yet acting as the mother figure for the other daughters?

8. Amoretti’s work, digging the wells, his skills, explosions, divining where the water was? His family, his presence at home, the meals? Patricia’s birthday, the delight? The gift of the hat? The detail? Relying on Amanda to give the gift?

9. Felipe, his story, his age, hopes, attracted to Patricia, his conversations with Amoretti, visiting for dinner, being persuaded to stay? Inviting Patricia to the air show, her not wanting to go, learning that Jacques would be there, her decision to go with Felipe?

10. Jacques, at the river, at home, his father as a merchant, Amoretti buying things at the shop? Jacques’ mother, protective? His reputation, his friendship with Felipe, the common background? His participation in the air show, flying? Patricia seeing him? The invitation to Patricia to come with him, fabricating the lie, telling Felipe, his drinking? Jacques and his advances? The kiss, Patricia’s reaction? Felipe and his drinking, not being able to drive Patricia home, Jacques and the motor bike, their stopping, the sexual encounter (off-screen and suggested)? The effect on Patricia, her hopes with Jacques, the plan to meet at the church, her waiting, his not turning up?

11. Jacques, the message to his mother, his leaving for the war, his mother going to the church, seeing Patricia, destroying the note?

12. Patricia and her changing, the pregnancy, telling her father? Her shame and his shame? His reaction? Amoretti and his disgust? The decision to visit Jacques’ parents? The formality of the meeting? Taking all his children? The parents and their denial? Patricia and her embarrassment? The aftermath, on the crossroad, leaving Patricia on her own to go to her aunt?

13. Patricia’s aunt, her experience, similar? Looking after Patricia, the birth of her son?

14. Felipe, going to war, his proposal and Patricia turning him down? His being injured, his return, Amanda and her devotion to Felipe? Going to visit Patricia, Amoretti’s eruption after the visit?

15. Amoretti going to see his sister, seeing Patricia? His response to the baby? The attraction, wanting the baby to have his name? Becoming possessive, wanting them at home?

16. The reconciliation – and possibilities for the future?

17. Jacques’ parents and their visiting to see the baby, their grief at the report of Jacques being killed? Amoretti and his reaction, allowing them to touch the baby, the issue of the baby’s name?

18. Felipe, arriving back from the war, his news, Jacques and his return, the news of Patricia and the child?

19. His meeting Patricia, the need to make a decision? Patricia and her reaction, not wanting him to marry her out of pity? Jacques and his talk with Patricia, the strength of the bond, the love?

20. The completion of the drama, the reconciliation, Jacques and Patricia, the parents and their bonding with Amoretti? Felipe and Amanda?

21. The period, World War One, a different world, moral standards, secrecies? The French experience? Universal?