This study session will use the Provence- set La Fille du puisatier to address the theme of regional difference and identity in France. Isabelle Vanderschelden will give a contextualising introduction in French to highlight elements of regional identity. The film will be introduced in French and a range of language exercises designed to assist students with their reading, writing, speaking and listening will follow the screening. The post-screening activities will address the main themes in the film which include: families, traditions, class differences and relationships between adults and children. The session will also include a short awareness-raising exercise on regional accents.
Screening:
La Fille du puisatier (PG)
(The Well-Digger’s Daughter)
Dir Daniel Auteuil / France 2011 / 109 mins / In French with English subtitles / Daniel Auteuil, Kad Merad, Sabine Azéma, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Nicolas Duvauchelle
Daniel Auteuil presents a visually impressive tale of love and class struggle set in rural France at the beginning of WWII. Patricia is the eighteen-year-old daughter of the local well-digger who has a chance encounter with a handsome young fighter pilot. When Patricia ends up pregnant, the Mazels, the boy’s rich parents, refuse to recognise the child and talk about blackmail. Patricia and her father are left alone to welcome her child to the world.