La Foire aux femmes (1956)

La Foire aux femmes is a French-Italian romantic film drama first released in 1956, directed by Jean Stelli.  The film is based on a novel by Gilbert Dupé and stars Alfred Adam, Etchika Choureau, Jean Danet, Dora Doll and Juliette Faber.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


When she learns that her father is dying, 18-year-old Ludvine leaves the institution where she has been brought up and returns to her home village.  She is sad and afraid of the future.  One of the men from the village, Gros Jésus, offers her a ride in his boat.  Ludvine is unaware that the man is interested in young girls and realises too late that he is going to rape her.  She is rescued by a young man named Jean-Pierre, who ensures that she gets home safely.  At her father’s funeral, Ludvine  is offered work by a wealthy fisherman named Vignaud who lives alone on a nearby island.  She declines this offer and instead decides to move in with two old maids, the Vichat sisters, earning her keep by working at a shop in the village.  Vignaud is annoyed by this rejection but knows that Ludivine will be his one day.   Ever since she met Jean-Pierre, Ludivine is no longer unhappy.  But she has a rival in Mariotte, a jealous woman who is resolved to marry Jean-Pierre.  Then comes the day that everyone has been waiting for, the Fair of the Women.  After the dance, every unmarried woman in the village must wait, an umbrella in her hand, for a man to approach her and propose a little walk in the woods.  When Ludvine is asked by Jean-Pierre, Gros Jésus, Mariotte and Vignaud decide to turn the situation to their advantage...
© Willems Henri (Brussels, Belgium)

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