In the 1920s, the Provence is a magnet for immigrants seeking work in the quarries or in the agriculture. Many mingle with locals and settle down for good — like Toni, an Italian who has moved in with Marie, a Frenchwoman. Even a well-ordered existence is not immune from boredom, friendship, romance, or enmity, and Toni becomes entangled in a web of increasingly passionate relationships. For there is his best pal Fernand, but also Albert, his overbearing foreman; there is Sebastian, a steady Spanish peasant, but also Gabi, his young rogue relative; there is Marie, but there is also Josefa.
Direction
Renoir shoots on location years before anyone else dared.
Cinematography
Harsh Provençal light that refuses to romanticize poverty.
Director
Jean Renoir
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Renoir adapted this from a real murder case file given to him by a magistrate friend in Provence.
Shot in Martigues with actual seasonal workers as extras; Italian fascist authorities tried to block its release, sensing its anti-romantic portrayal of immigrant labor.
FR
