1. Who is Marie? At the beginning of the film has she got a job? How does she live?

2. Why does Marie decide to `offer her services' and to whom?

3. How does Marie behave with her children? With her husband? Can you explain her behaviour towards them?

4. What are the elements (objects, places, status) which show a change in Marie's life once she has decided to make a living out of `offering her services'?

5. How does Marie become different starting from that moment? What events take place?

6. What episode in the film shows that Marie is in danger? Does she really take this on board?

7 How does the director make us aware of the danger?

                 Failed abortion:

                Denunciation:

8. Who are the other women with whom Marie associates? How do they represent women?

9. How does Marie change during her time in prison?

10. What are the different elements causing her to be imprisoned?

11. How is the historic period represented (in terms of the institution of the state, the political situation etc.)?

12. How is religion perceived?

13. What does the jury represent?

14. What does these words signify; "It is a monstrous hypocrisy!"?

15. Who is the film dedicated to?

16. Do you think the director is in favour or against abortion?

  Taking a Closer Look

1. Identify and note where in the film the rôle and representation of the characters (listed below) are drawn attention to (i.e. their social status, character, development, where they appear symbolic etc.). Choose different adjectives and statements to identify their character, status, how they change and their relationship with other characters.


The Prostitute (Marie Trintignant)

Yasmine

Yasmine's Sister-in-law

The Latour children (Mouche and Pierrot)

Marie's Husband (François Cluzet)

Lucien

Robert (Yasmine's Husband)

The Barrister

Colonel Chabert

The Judge


2 Comment on and explain the following expressions:

                 `rendre un service de femme'       -         offering her services

                 `un truc de bonne femme'              -         womanly wiles

                 `une faiseuse d'anges'                   -          a maker of angels