Potiche (Trophy Wife)

About the Film

In Potiche, it's 1977 and women's liberation is in the air but Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve) is still the self-effacing, elegant housewife of wealthy industrialist Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini). Pujol oversees his umbrella factory with an iron fist and is equally tyrannical with his children and & trophy housewife; When the workers go on strike and take Robert hostage, Suzanne steps in to manage the factory. To everyone's surprise, she proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action. Her new role throws her back in touch with union leader Gerard Depardieu, a romantic fling from the past that still has sparks. When Robert returns from a restful cruise looking to reassert himself, things get complicated. Directed with superb style by François Ozon ("Swimming Pool") and based on the popular 1970's French stage play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy (Cactus Flower).

Reactions

Delightfully empowering and relevant, Deneuve gets her best role in years, and she plays it to the hilt. — New York Observer

With a frothy, sophisticated, quick-witted script, Mr. Ozon’s film follows in the tradition of the American screwball comedies of the 1940s. And the transformation of Suzanne …is a joy to behold in one of the most finely tuned, raciest and most gripping performances of Ms. Deneuve’s career. — The New York Times

A tremendously elegant piece of fun… — YesGuardian

Awards

• BAFTA Film Award 2012 Nominee - Best Film Not in the English Language
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Actress, Catherine Deneuve
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Supporting Actress, Karin Viard
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Adapted Screenplay
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Costume Design
• European Film Awards 2011 Audience Award Nominee - Best Film
• Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists 2011 Silver Ribbon Award Nominee - Best European Director, François Ozon
• Venice Film Festival 2010 - Official Selection
• Venic Film Festival 2010 Golden Lion Award Nominee - François Ozon
• Toronto International Film Festival 2010 - Official Selection

Cast & Crew

Cast

Suzanne: Catherine Deneuve
Babin: Gérard Depardieu
Robert: Fabrice Luchini 
Nadège: Karin Viard
Joëlle: Judith Godrèche
Laurent: Jérémie Renier 
Spanish truckdriver: Sergi Lopez
Geneviève Michonneau: Evelyne Dandry
André: Bruno Lochet
Young Suzanne: Elodie Frégé
Young Babin: Gautier About
Young Robert: Jean-Baptiste Shelmerdine 
Flavien: Noam Charlier
Stanislas: Martin de Myttenaere

Crew

Director: François Ozon
Screenplay: François Ozon, Barillet & Grédy (play)
Producers: Eric Altmayer and Nicolas Altmayer
Cinematography: Yorick Le Saux
Editor: Laure Gardette
Casting: Sarah Teper, Leila Fournier, and Mickael de Nijs
Production design: Katia Wyszkop
Costumes:Pascaline Chavanne

 

 

 

 

Technical Info

Production Year: 2010
Release Date: 03/25/11
Countries of Production: France
Languages: French
Running Time: 1h 43m
Screen Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital
Color: Color
Rating: R

Potiche (Trophy Wife) - Press Page

Awards

• BAFTA Film Award 2012 Nominee - Best Film Not in the English Language
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Actress, Catherine Deneuve
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Supporting Actress, Karin Viard
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Adapted Screenplay
• César Awards 2011 Nominee - Best Costume Design
• European Film Awards 2011 Audience Award Nominee - Best Film
• Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists 2011 Silver Ribbon Award Nominee - Best European Director, François Ozon
• Venice Film Festival 2010 - Official Selection
• Venic Film Festival 2010 Golden Lion Award Nominee - François Ozon
• Toronto International Film Festival 2010 - Official Selection

Reactions

Delightfully empowering and relevant, Deneuve gets her best role in years, and she plays it to the hilt. — New York Observer

With a frothy, sophisticated, quick-witted script, Mr. Ozon’s film follows in the tradition of the American screwball comedies of the 1940s. And the transformation of Suzanne …is a joy to behold in one of the most finely tuned, raciest and most gripping performances of Ms. Deneuve’s career. — The New York Times

A tremendously elegant piece of fun… — YesGuardian

Detailed Film Info

It's 1977 and women's liberation is in the air but Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve) is still the self-effacing, elegant housewife of wealthy industrialist Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini). Pujol oversees his umbrella factory with an iron fist and is equally tyrannical with his children and & trophy housewife; When the workers go on strike and take Robert hostage, Suzanne steps in to manage the factory. To everyone's surprise, she proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action. Her new role throws her back in touch with union leader Gerard Depardieu, a romantic fling from the past that still has sparks. When Robert returns from a restful cruise looking to reassert himself, things get complicated. Directed with superb style by Francois Ozon ("Swimming Pool") and based on the popular 1970's French stage play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy (Cactus Flower).

Trailer

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