The Grand Shows Off “Potiche”

Ellsworth, Maine - The Grand’s hot, new film program CineGrand continues its annual Summer French Film series with the seventies satire “Potiche” starring the iconic Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu (“The Last Metro”, “Changing Times”) in their sixth film together on Thursday July 12th through Saturday July 14th at 7pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. It’s French night all weekend long, as The Grand celebrates hot French films in the summertime.

Set in 1977 in a provincial French town, “Potiche” is a free adaptation of the 1970s eponymous hit comic play. Catherine Deneuve is Suzanne Pujol, a submissive, housebound 'trophy housewife' (or "potiche,") who steps in to manage the umbrella factory run by her wealthy and tyrannical husband (Fabrice Luchini) after the workers go on strike and take him hostage. To everyone's surprise, Suzanne proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action. But when her husband returns from a restful cruise in top form, things get complicated. Gérard Depardieu plays a former union leader and Suzanne's ex-beau who still holds a flame for her. Acclaimed writer-director Francois Ozon ("Swimming Pool," "Under the Sand," "Time to Leave,") who had previously directed Ms. Deneuve in the international hit "8 Women," twists the original play on its head to create his own satirical and hilarious take on the war between the sexes and classes. “Potiche”  reunites French cinema legends Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu in an ensemble cast that includes comic greats Fabrice Luchini and Karin Viard (as Luchini's secretary and mistress,) while Judith Godreche and Jérémie Renier play the Pujols' entitled daughter and sexually ambiguous son. The impeccable 1970s era set design and costumes, were created by Katia Wyzkop and Pascaline Chavanne, respectively.

So bring a friend. Wear your beret, and share the experience of a film that A.O. Scott of The New York Times calls “a beguiling blend of panache and precision,” when CineGrand presents “Potiche” screening on Thursday July 12th through Saturday July 14th at 7pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Please note- admission for each CineGrand screening is as follows: General Admission-$7, Seniors- $6 and Members are $5.  The Grand is pleased to offer French Film & Pizza night in collaboration with The Maine Grind.  We’ll be wearing our berets, and welcome you to enjoy a gourmet pizza at a special price at the Maine Grind before the movie on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Future titles in The Grand’s annual Summer French Film series include the provocative “The Names of Love”, July 26-28 and Juliette Binoche in “Certified Copy”, August 9-11.

For more information on the CineGrand program, please call the box office at 207-667-9500 or visit The Grand website at www.grandonline.org or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grand-Auditorium/112755987339