Potiche

Set in 1977, the film reflects a period of social change in France, with labor movements and shifting gender roles influencing everyday life. The era heightens the stakes of factory negotiations and political ambition. It frames Suzanne's ascent from domestic life to industrial leadership and a future in politics.

The story unfolds in the small fictional French town of Sainte-Gudule in Nord, centered on an umbrella factory and its workforce. It is a tight-knit, industrious community where strikes expose tensions between labor and management. The town serves as a backdrop for personal ambitions, social change, and the battle of wills between a domineering husband and a newly empowered wife.

💪 Empowerment

Suzanne evolves from a submissive trophy wife to a capable leader of the umbrella factory. She navigates worker demands, negotiates with the town's power players, and drives production to new heights. The arc centers on personal empowerment, autonomy, and redefining authority in both business and family life.

🤝 Labor & Class

The factory strike exposes deep class tensions between management and workers. Suzanne's diplomatic approach helps bridge divides and restore production, illustrating how dialogue can transform conflict into cooperation. The dynamic also weaves in political maneuvering around labor affairs.

🎭 Gender Roles

The narrative challenges traditional gender expectations as Suzanne takes control and pursues a public career. The marriage trade-offs, affairs, and eventual independence highlight evolving gender norms in the late 1970s. The story uses humor and politics to critique patriarchal structures.