Fountain of youth

PostED ON OCTOBER 11, 2016 AT 11AM

© Institut Lumière / Photo Olivier Chassignol

A new print, restored "from the sound and image negatives… and done by the best!" announced Sophie Seydoux, president of the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, setting the tone at the outset on Monday night at the Pathé Bellecour. Although Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring turn 30 this year, these French gems directed by Claude Berri don't look a day older.

And to give the symbolic milestone the celebration it deserved, the Lumière festival had planned a whole evening: screening of both movies, based on an adaptation of the work by Marcel Pagnol, with a lovely surprise for the festivalgoers - actress Emmanuelle Béart arrived in person, for this commemoration. It was a chance for the actress to discuss the title role, which earned her the César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1987. "It was thirty years ago, I had just débuted, I didn't want to make movies," she confessed. Fortunately for us, filmmaker Claude Berri was there. "He asked me if I could spit, climb trees, milk goats. I told him I was from the South- that had to please him!"

In passing, the actress treated the audience to a story about her character: "For the purposes of the film, I spent three months milking goats with a goat herder. One day, Claude came and asked me how I was to going to call to herd them. To tease him, I said, "Berri-Berri!" (and she demonstrates, rolling her r's) and that's what inspired the sound you hear in the movie!" A well-kept secret, and a perfect birthday present!

Laura Lepine

Jean de Florette by Claude Berri (1986, 2h)
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 4:30pm at Pathé Bellecour, in the presence of Jean-Pierre Lavoignat

Manon of the Spring by Claude Berri (1986, 2h)
Friday, October 14, 2016 at 6:45pm at Pathé Bellecour, in the presence of Jean-Pierre Lavoignat