A young woman passionate about reading immerses herself in the adventures of a fictional character who makes reading her profession. As she explores different neighborhoods and wintertime Provence, her imagination blends with reality, revealing the mysteries behind each word.
Acting
Miou-Miou plays dual roles with sly, knowing precision.
Direction
Deville's playful structure keeps reality deliciously unstable.
Cinematography
Winter Provence never looked this invitingly louche.
Director
Michel Deville
Miou-Miou
Constance / Marie
Patrick Chesnais
le P.D.G.
Pierre Dux
le magistrat
Régis Royer
Eric
Brigitte Catillon
la mère d'Éric
Marianne Denicourt
Bella B.
Clotilde de Bayser
la mère de Coralie
Jean-Luc Boutté
l'Inspecteur de police
Simon Eine
le Professeur d'hôpital
Maria de Medeiros
l'infirmière muette
André Wilms
l'homme de la Rue Saint-Landry
María Casares
la veuve de Général
Bérangère Bonvoisin
La mère de Joël
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Raymond Jean's 1980s novel celebrating France's tradition of public readers—actual professionals hired to entertain factory workers.
Deville deliberately cast Miou-Miou against type; her usual working-class persona makes Constance's intellectual eroticism more transgressive.
FR
