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Written by Gregg Shapiro
May 19, 2011
The title of the delightful new comedy “Potiche,” from out French filmmaker Francois Ozon, translates as “trophy wife.” That’s how Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve) and her children, conservative daughter Joëlle (Judith Godrèche) and sexually ambiguous son Laurent (Jérémie Renier), begin to see her in the hours leading up to the strike at the umbrella factory run by the head of the household Robert (Fabrice Luchini). But everything changes following Robert’s heart attack and Suzanne’s sudden ascension to the company’s helm. Funny, sexy and colorful, “Potiche” strikes all the right notes. I spoke recently with Ozon about the film.
Gregg Shapiro: “Potiche” is loosely based on the play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Grédy. What about the story appealed to you?
Francois Ozon: I thought it was an amazing part for an actress. I loved the evolution of the character, the emancipation. And because I wanted to work again with Catherine Deneuve, I thought it was a good opportunity to propose a new film.
“Potiche” also reunites Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu. What was it like to be a part of that?
For me it was a dream, because Depardieu and Deneuve belong to the history of the French cinema. We have seen them aging, film after film, and it is very touching to see them together. Seven films they did together. There is a magical chemistry between them.
With the story being set in 1977, was it fun to be working with the ’70s fashions?
Yes, for me it was very funny. The ’70s was my childhood. It was a pleasure to re-create this period and to play with my memories. I didn’t try to make the film too realistic. I stylized my idea of the ’70s.
Even though it’s a comedy, the film tackles serious subjects, such as the changing roles of women in the 1970s and class issues. Are you ever concerned that because of the humor, the topics aren’t given the respect they’re due?
I think, for me, a comedy is interesting if it’s not just for laughing. The best comedies, for me, are the comedies of Billy Wilder. Very funny, very entertaining, but at the same time, there is something behind it, some great topics. When you have a message, when you want to transmit an idea to the audience, it’s better to do it in a light way, with laughter. I think when you are too serious, sometimes it’s difficult for the audience.
The film has a few other hot-button topics, specifically for American audiences, beginning with unions, especially in light of what has been recently occurring in Madison. Have you been following the story and do you think that the timing of the release of “Potiche” will be good for the film?
I don’t know enough about American politics. But the film was a huge success in France. And the film was released at a moment when we were having big strikes (laughs). We very often have strikes in France. There were a lot of struggles between unions and politics in France when the film was released. It was funny because we realized things haven’t changed since the ’70s.
