The Well Digger’s Daughter DVD review

The Well Digger’s Daughter is a charming French thoroughbred about love, loss and redemption

French actor Daniel Auteuil makes his directorial debut with The Well Digger’s Daughter, a wartime romance set in the hazy landscape of Provence.

The story is simple – a well digger (Auteuil) discovers that his beautiful but innocent 18 year-old daughter (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) has fallen pregnant by the son of a wealthy shop owner. The would-be couple are torn apart by war and class divide, and the bastard child threatens to bring shame upon both families.

The film is understated and gentle. The bucolic landscape and excellent cinematography make this a lovely vignette of French rural life. A good introduction for foreign-film beginners.

The Well Digger's Daughter is released on DVD February 20.

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