Jean de Florette is a 1986 French comedy-drama film directed by Claude Berri and based on a novel by one of France’s greatest 20^th century writers, Marcel Pagnol. The film takes place in rural Provence, where two local farmers (Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil) plot to trick a newcomer (Gérard Depardieu) out of his newly inherited property. The film thus stars three of France’s most prominent actors, and this is a great place to see them all in action in one place.

The film was shot back to back with its sequel, Manon des Sources, over a period of seven months in and around the Vaucluse department of Provence, and whilst at the time it was the most expensive French film ever made, it was also a great commercial and critical success, both domestically and internationally, and was nominated for eight César awards, and ten BAFTAs. The success of the two films helped promote Provence as a tourist destination (a tendency that was cemented three years later when Peter Mayle’s best-selling memoir, A Year in Provence, was published ).

Anyway, I have my mate Jason’s wife Liz to thank for introducing me to Jean de Florette: whilst at their house several years ago, she thrust the DVD of the film into my hands, saying “you’ll love this”. I took it home and dutifully watched it…and she was right! What was at first sight an obscure French film with a dull name and an odd plot became a hugely enjoyable ride. The plot is indeed unusual, involving jealous designs on rural arable land, hare-brained plans and machinations around the blocking up of a natural spring. However, it is a joy to watch: the rural village scenes are so gloriously, authentically French, and the characters conjured up by these great actors, and a strong supporting cast, are tremendous.

This scene I have chosen is pretty representative, I think: we have Depardieu’s irrepressibly optimistic Jean, proselytising about his plans to breed rabbits and grow marrows, Auteuil’s Ugolin trying at every turn to dissuade and dispirit him, and Montand’s Le Papet (Ugolin’s uncle), a wily owl presiding over his and Ugolin’s schemes to drive the newcomer away and take the land for themselves.