Page "Jacques Brel" Paragraph 32

In 1971, Brel appeared in his fifth feature film, Franz, the first film he directed.

Brel also co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Andréota, and produced the soundtrack with François Rauber.

The film co-starred Barbara, Danièle Evenou, Fernand Fabre, Serge Sauvions, Louis Navarre, Jacques Provins, and François Cadet.

The film is about Léon ( Brel ) and Léonie ( Barbara ), who meet in a convalescent home for state employees in Blankenberge: Catherine ( Danièle Evenou ) is Léonie's friend.

Léonie is shy and reserved while Catherine is loose and flirtatious.

Most men are attracted to her vitality, but Léon is the exception.

Léonie is intrigued by Léon's secretive personality.

She gradually becomes attracted to his clumsy behaviour and they fall in love.

The other residents, amused by this unlikely love affair, decide to obstruct their relationship which drives Léon to suicide.

The film was released on 2 February 1972, and although praised by the critics, it was not a commercial success.