| Mourir d'aimer | |
|---|---|
| Mourir d'aimer Morire d'amore | |
| Directed by | André Cayatte |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Maurice Fellous |
| Music by | Louiguy |
Production companies | Cobra Franco London Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 110 mins |
| Countries | France, Italy |
| Language | French |
Mourir d'aimer (English title:To Die of Love;Italian:Morire d'amore; ) is a 1971 Franco-Italian film drama directed byAndré Cayatte. Based on the true story ofGabrielle Russier [fr], it was the third most popular film of 1971 in France.
The time isMay 1968. Danièle Guénot, 32 years old and divorced with two children, is a politically engaged French and Latin teacher inRouen who organises discussion sessions at her home. A 17-year-old student, Gérard Leguen, falls in love with her. She rebuffs him but eventually gives in to the mutual attraction. His parents complain, and she is sent to prison and he to other schools, relatives, and a psychiatric in-patient clinic. She eventually kills herself.[1][2]
The film is based on the story of Gabrielle Russier, a 32-year-old divorced French teacher inMarseille who killed herself on 1 September 1969 after being found guilty ofcorruption of a minor.[2][3][4][5] It was largely shot atMont-Saint-Aignan and Rouen, with some scenes being filmed atCluses.
The score is byLouiguy. The song "Mourir d'aimer" byCharles Aznavour was also inspired by Russier's story and appeared before the film, at the beginning of 1971, but Louiguy did not allow it to be used in the French soundtrack;[4] it was included in some non-French releases, including the Italian and the American.[3] It was also represented as "inspired by the film" on 45 rpm singles that appeared soon afterwards.[4] The version used on the Italian soundtrack won aGolden Lion at the 1971Venice Film Festival.[4]
The song "De terciopelo negro" (black fur) by theEcuadorianJorge Araujo Chiriboga recurs several times in the film, performed by Carmela, withPaco Ibañez on guitar.[3] It and "Partida" (Parting) were issued as singles.
The film was a success; 5,912,404 tickets were sold in France, making it the third most popular film of the year.[3][6] Annie Girardot's performance as Danièle was particularly praised.[4] The reviewer forThe New York Times praised the performances and wrote that the film "delves deeply and often movingly into the states of mind of both the obdurate lawmakers and the tragic principals."[2]