Jean de Florette (1986)

Description

Yves Montand (The Wages of Fear) and Gérard Depardieu (The Man in the Iron Mask) star in this timeless tale of greed, survival and fate. Winner of four British Academy Awards including Best Film and nominated for eight French César Awards, Jean de Florette is "richly textured and emotionally powerful, exquisitely and meticulously filmed, with galvanizing performances" (Leonard Maltin). Set amidst the rugged hills of Provence, this epic saga follows the heroic efforts of Jean Cadoret (Depardieu), who inherits a farm from his mother, Florette, and leaves his city job behind, hoping to create a "new Eden" with his wife and daughter. But, unbeknownst to Jean, his greedy neighbor, César Soubeyran (Montand), is plotting to steal the land out from under him. With the help of a corrupt nephew (Daniel Auteuil), the clannish villagers and the added effects of a severe drought, César hatches a wicked scheme that drives Jean to the brink of madness.