Cinema
The Baker's Wife
La Femme du boulanger
Marcel Pagnol · 1938
Synopsis
In a village in Provence, the arrival of a new baker, Aimable Castanier, is welcomed by everyone, so long had they waited for his bread. But his young wife, Aurélie, runs off with Dominique, a handsome shepherd. In despair, Aimable stops making bread. One man's tragedy becomes the concern of the whole village: deprived of bread, the villagers, until then divided by their quarrels, must unite to try to bring the runaway back.
Context
The film adapts an episode of Jean le Bleu, a narrative by Jean Giono published in 1932, and was the last collaboration between the two men. The role of the baker was first offered to other actors: Raimu, on bad terms with the filmmaker, refused it before accepting it after reading the text. Ginette Leclerc plays Aurélie, Charles Moulin the shepherd. Released on 7 September 1938, the film was restored in 4K and released by Criterion in 2019.
Who it is for
More than two hours, in the French of Provence; village comedy sits alongside real grief.
Prizes and reception
One of its author's greatest successes along with the Marseille trilogy, and one of Raimu's most famous roles.
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