Summertime

Delphine Benchiessa, portrayed by Izïa Higelin, is the sole daughter of French farmers, cherishing the simple life of tending to the land with her family. However, her father, Maurice, played by Jean-Henri Compère, has other plans, hoping she will marry. Unbeknownst to him, Delphine is secretly nurturing a romantic relationship with a local girl. On the day of their rendezvous, Delphine is disheartened to learn that her girlfriend intends to wed a local boy, dismissing their relationship as “not serious.” In response to this betrayal, she flees to Paris, setting the stage in 1971.

While wandering the vibrant streets, Delphine stumbles upon a group of spirited women engaging in a unique form of protest by pinching men’s behinds. During this encounter, she helps rescue Carole, a member of this feminist collective, played by Cécile de France, after one of the women turns aggressive. The group, passionate about women’s liberation, quickly draws Delphine into their active protests. When a tragedy strikes, and a friend of one of the group members is subjected to electroshock therapy in a mental institution, the collective is hesitant to intervene. However, Delphine champions the cause, leading to a daring rescue alongside Carole.

In a moment of unexpected boldness, Delphine kisses Carole, who initially recoils in surprise, revealing her reluctance to identify as a lesbian. Despite this, they soon find themselves engulfed in a passionate affair, though Carole grapples with the idea that it may be a fleeting connection. As feelings deepen, Carole confesses the truth of their relationship to her boyfriend, resulting in tension as she struggles to balance her life between him and Delphine.

Tragedy strikes again when Delphine’s mother, Monique, portrayed by Noémie Lvovsky, calls with news that Maurice has suffered a heart attack. Delphine returns home, realizing her responsibilities at the farm will require her to stay longer than anticipated. Armed with insights from the feminist collective, she begins advocating for her parents’ interests among the farming community. Carole, unable to stay away, visits Delphine, only to discover they must keep their love hidden from Monique, who is unaware of her daughter’s sexuality.

As the weeks pass, Carole finds the rural life stifling and struggles with the local populace’s disdain for her progressive beliefs. The need for discretion weighs heavily, and doubts emerge, especially after Antoine, a local admirer of Delphine, suggests she will never leave the farm. When whispers of their clandestine affair begin to circulate, tensions rise, resulting in a confrontation that reveals their secret to several locals, including Delphine’s mother.

One fateful morning, Monique walks in on the couple, forcing a confrontation. While she attempts to maintain a façade of normalcy with Delphine, she vehemently accuses Carole of corrupting her child and demands her to leave. Heartbroken, Carole decides to part ways, prompting Delphine to contemplate escaping with her. Although they board a train together, Delphine ultimately finds herself unable to sever ties with her past and misses their connection to Paris, returning home instead.

Five years later, in 1976, fate has shifted once again. Carole now works at a women’s health clinic in Paris, engaged with another partner. Then a letter arrives from Delphine, who reveals she has finally liberated herself from her parents’ farm and established her own in the south of France. Reflecting on their shared past, she articulates a poignant regret for not having left with Carole five years prior, understanding that the past is immutable and time cannot be reversed.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:05