''Murderous Maids'' () is a

French film The cinema of France comprises the film industry and its film productions, whether made within the nation of France or by French film production companies abroad. It is the oldest and largest precursor of national cinemas in Europe, with prima ...

directed by

Jean-Pierre Denis Jean-Pierre Denis (; born 29 March 1946) is a French film director and screenwriter. He has directed seven films since 1980. His directorial debut '' Adrien's Story'' won the Caméra d'Or The Caméra d'Or ("''Golden Camera''") is an award of t ...

, released in 2000, which tells the true story of two French maids, Christine and Lea Papin. The screenplay by Jean-Pierre Denis with Michèle Pétin, was based on the book '' L'affaire Papin'' by Paulette Houdyer. It told the story of the double murder committed by the maids, which made sensational headlines in France in 1933. The film had 360,846 admissions in France.

Plot

Christine Papin Christine may refer to: People * Christine (name), a female given name Film * ''Christine'' (1958 film), based on Schnitzler's play ''Liebelei'' * ''Christine'' (1983 film), based on Stephen King's novel of the same name * ''Christine'' ( ...

(

Sylvie Testud Sylvie Testud (born 17 January 1971) is a French actress whose film career began in 1991. She won the César Award for Most Promising Actress for '' Murderous Maids'' (2000), the César Award for Best Actress for '' Fear and Trembling'' (2003) ...

), and Léa Papin (Julie-Marie Parmentier) are sisters with a troubled past, who work as maids in

Le Mans Le Mans (; ) is a Communes of France, city in Northwestern France on the Sarthe (river), Sarthe River where it meets the Huisne. Traditionally the capital of the Provinces of France, province of Maine (province), Maine, it is now the capital of ...

, France. After a string of domestic jobs, they start working for the Lancelin family, which consists of Monsieur Lancelin, his wife and their adult daughter Genevieve. Christine sees in Madame Lancelin a mother figure, in spite of her severity. But their wretched background — an indifferent mother, a drunken, abusive father and time spent in orphanages — casts a shadow over the girls. Over time, their ill-fated situation darkens and they withdraw into themselves. Finally, after six years of service, they end up committing a particularly brutal crime on February 2, 1933: killing Madame Lancelin and her daughter after gouging their eyes out.

Cast

as Christine Papin * Julie-Marie Parmentier as Léa Papin * Isabelle Renauld as Clémence *

François Levantal François Levantal (born 14 October 1960) is a French actor. He has appeared in more than one hundred films since 1986. Filmography Theater Music videos External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Levantal, Francois 1960 births Living people F ...

as Le Gazé *

Dominique Labourier Dominique Labourier (born 29 April 1943) is a French actress. Born in Reims, France, she is best known outside France for starring as Julie in Jacques Rivette's film '' Celine and Julie Go Boating'' (''Céline et Julie vont en bateau'', 1974). ...

as Madame Lancelin * Jean-Gabriel Nordmann as M. Lancelin * Marie Donnio as Geneviève Lancelin *

Michaël Abiteboul Michaël Abiteboul is a French actor. Filmography Theatre References External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Abiteboul, Michael French male film actors Living people 21st-century French male actors Year of birth missing (living peop ...

as Etienne *

Nadia Barentin Nadia Barentin (17 October 1936 – 22 March 2011) was a French actress, known for her theatre and film roles, including '' Les Blessures assassines'' in 2000. She was nominated for the Molière Award for Best Supporting Actress for '' Mons ...

as La mère supérieure

Awards and nominations

won the

César Award for Most Promising Actress Cesar or César may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''César'' (film), a 1936 French romantic drama * ''César'' (play), a play by Marcel Pagnolt Places * Cesar, Portugal * Cesar Department, Colombia * Cesar River, in Colombia * Cesar ...

in 2001 for her performance as Christine Papin. The film was nominated for the César for best film, and Jean-Pierre Denis for best director.

References

External links

* 2000 films 2000s French-language films 2000 crime drama films Films directed by Jean-Pierre Denis Films about maids StudioCanal films French crime drama films Films set in 1933 2000s French films {{2000s-France-film-stub