Tonight on TV: Don’t Miss Annie Girardot in a Poignant Rarity!

In 1955, the comedy “Treize à table” introduced audiences to Annie Girardot. Sixteen years later, in 1971, the actress gave one of her most memorable performances in an intense drama directed by André Cayatte, known for films like “Justice est faite” and “Les Risques du Métier.” The movie, “Mourir d’aimer,” chronicles the downward spiral of a woman’s life.

Danièle Guénot (Annie Girardot), a 32-year-old divorced mother of two, teaches literature in Rouen. During the social upheavals of May 1968, she holds meetings at her home to discuss and challenge societal norms. It is during these events that she meets Gérard Leguen (Bruno Pradal), a 17-year-old student who falls in love with her and confesses his feelings. Initially, she rejects him, but eventually, she succumbs to their mutual affection. The young man’s parents are outraged and file a lawsuit for the corruption of a minor…

A Pivotal Role in Annie Girardot’s Career

“Mourir d’aimer” is based on a real-life scandal that rocked France in the spring of 1968. It tells the forbidden love story between Gabrielle Russier, a 32-year-old high school teacher, and one of her students, Christian Rossi, who was 17 at the time.

Gabrielle was sentenced to twelve months in prison with a suspended sentence and fined 500 francs, but her sentence was eventually pardoned by President Georges Pompidou. Despite mixed reviews upon its release, André Cayatte’s drama was a box office hit, attracting nearly six million viewers.

The film not only won the Grand Prix of French Cinema but was also nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Thanks to this unexpected success, Annie Girardot’s career skyrocketed.

After this poignantly rare film, she gained international recognition and enjoyed a decade of cinematic success with films like “Docteur Françoise Gailland,” “Les Misérables,” and “La Pianiste,” each earning her a César Award.

On AlloCiné, many viewers continue to praise Girardot’s performance in “Mourir d’aimer”:

“It leaves you shocked, outraged, undoubtedly aided by Girardot’s performance,” “Annie Girardot in perhaps her most beautiful role,” “Annie Girardot is once again extraordinary, arguably her best role alongside Docteur Françoise Gailland,” and “Annie Girardot, understated, dignified, moving with restrained emotion and anger.”

Tonight on Arte at 20:55