Philippe Malaiseau, writer and historian, died before completing his study of Charles le Témeraire, so the publisher sent Marc Lancelot, Malaiseau's “negro”, to Fontbonne in the Midi. There are five women in Fontbonne: Julie, a ravishing and very particular secretary who seduces Marc, Malaiseau's old mother, Marianne, the distant widow, Christine, the cousin, and Melisa, an Italian friend. The four women are all related to Malaiseau. Did he die in a simple accident?
Acting
Anny Duperey's glacial widow energy steals every frame.
Production
That decaying Midi estate practically breathes guilty secrets.
Director
Bernard Toublanc-Michel
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Claude Jade was fresh off Truffaut's Bed & Board; this was her 'let's get weird' phase.
The 'nègre littéraire' concept was still acceptable industry talk in 1975 French publishing—film doesn't critique it, just uses it.
FR
IT
