Summertime (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Delphine leaves the farm after her secret girlfriend betrays her by deciding to marry a local boy and dismisses their relationship as 'not serious.' Heartbroken and feeling betrayed, Delphine flees to Paris seeking a new beginning and independence from the life her father wanted for her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Delphine is shown secretly dating a local girl, hinting at her desire for a different life away from her father's marriage expectations.

• delphine
• paris
• farm
• leaves
• girlfriend
• betrayal

Carole initially recoils from Delphine's kiss because she is not ready to openly identify as a lesbian. Despite being drawn to Delphine, Carole struggles with her own sexuality and fears the social implications of being in a same-sex relationship.

Foreshadowing: Carole's involvement in the feminist movement shows her passion for women's liberation, but her hesitation reveals the personal complexity of embracing her true identity.

• carole
• kiss
• sexuality
• lesbian
• hesitation

Carole leaves because Monique openly accuses her of 'corrupting' Delphine and demands she leave. The confrontation makes it clear that their relationship cannot exist openly in the rural environment, and Carole feels she has no choice but to part ways despite her feelings for Delphine.

Foreshadowing: Throughout Carole's time at the farm, the locals show disdain for her progressive beliefs, building toward this breaking point.

• carole
• monique
• confrontation
• leaves
• accusation

Delphine cannot sever ties with her past. Though she boards the train with Carole, she ultimately returns home because she feels obligated to care for her parents, particularly after her father's heart attack. Her deep-rooted sense of family responsibility outweighs her desire for personal freedom.

Foreshadowing: Delphine's decision to advocate for her parents' interests in the farming community shows her commitment to family, which ultimately keeps her rooted.

• delphine
• farm
• stays
• carole
• train
• family

Carole struggles because the rural community opposes her progressive feminist beliefs. She finds the local people's disdain for her views stifling, and the constant need to hide their relationship adds emotional pressure that becomes unbearable.

Foreshadowing: Early on, Carole is depicted as a passionate activist deeply invested in women's liberation, which naturally conflicts with traditional rural values.

• carole
• countryside
• farm
• struggles
• beliefs
• feminism

Monique reacts harshly because she is unaware of Delphine's sexuality and views Carole's presence as a corrupting influence. Her accusation that Carole is 'corrupting' her daughter reflects the social attitudes of the time toward same-sex relationships.

Foreshadowing: Throughout Carole's visit, Delphine and Carole must keep their relationship hidden from Monique, suggesting Monique's traditional views were already apparent.

• monique
• mother
• discovers
• relationship
• reaction
• homophobia

After returning home due to her father's heart attack, Delphine uses the insights she gained from her involvement with the feminist collective to help her parents navigate the farming community's politics and protect their interests.

Foreshadowing: Delphine's bold leadership in rescuing the friend from the mental institution demonstrates her willingness to take action, which carries over to protecting her family.

• delphine
• parents
• farming
• community
• advocate

Carole confesses to her boyfriend because her feelings for Delphine have deepened significantly. The truth becomes impossible to hide as the affair progresses, creating tension between her existing relationship and her developing feelings for Delphine.

Foreshadowing: Their passionate affair develops quickly after the initial kiss, making it increasingly difficult for Carole to maintain her double life.

• carole
• boyfriend
• affair
• reveals
• confession

Delphine eventually breaks free from her familial obligations in 1976, establishing her own farm in the south of France. In her letter to Carole, she expresses regret for not leaving with her five years earlier, indicating she finally found the courage to pursue her own life.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Antoine suggests Delphine will never leave the farm, a doubt that haunts her until she finally overcomes it.

• delphine
• leaves
• farm
• five years
• south of france
• letter

A friend of one of the feminist group members is subjected to electroshock therapy in a mental institution. Delphine, moved by this injustice, persuades the collective to take action, and she and Carole lead a daring rescue of their friend.

Foreshadowing: The group's initial hesitation to intervene highlights the risks they face, making Delphine's championing of the cause a defining moment for her character.

• friend
• mental institution
• electroshock
• rescue
• feminist group

In her 1976 letter, Delphine expresses profound regret for not leaving with Carole five years earlier when they were on the train together. She acknowledges that the past cannot be changed and time cannot be reversed, showing she finally understood what she had lost.

Foreshadowing: The scene on the train, where Delphine chooses to return home, sets up this later regret as a pivotal moment she never forgot.

• delphine
• letter
• regret
• carole
• train
• past