Behind the Scenes with France’s Former First Lady: The Unconventional Story of Bernadette Chirac
The President’s Wife: A Film About Bernadette Chirac’s Transformation
Part of the French Film Tour in Mexico
Mexico City, September 22 – The French Film Tour is back with a diverse selection of 7 films, including ”The President’s Wife” (Bernadette), directed by Léa Domenach and starring Catherine Deneuve as the protagonist.
What is “The President’s Wife” about? The film is a comedy that follows the 12 years of Bernadette Chirac as the First Lady of France. Bernadette is always in her husband’s shadow, but she hopes that after being elected president, he will finally give her the place she deserves. However, she is pushed aside and called old-fashioned. Bernadette decides to change everything and become an iconic woman of her time.
The film explores the role of the president’s wife and how she is often hidden behind the shadow of the powerful man who represents an entire country. Léa Domenach brings us a scathing story that ridicules Jacques Chirac, but also builds Bernadette Chirac as a valuable woman for political life.
Catherine Deneuve brings Bernadette Chirac to life on the big screen, portraying her as an elegant and intelligent woman with a strong and challenging character. The film also stars Michel Vuillermoz as the President, a man who is portrayed as a distant politician with his wife, a womanizer, and who leaves a feeling of mockery.
In the film, we can see how Bernadette resigns herself to stay in the shadows, not appearing and most importantly: not being heard. However, this ends up facing a situation involving Princess Diana, where her husband’s actions are left in her open and emotionally hurt.
Michel Vuillermoz plays the role of the President, a man who is portrayed as a distant politician with his wife, a womanizer, and who leaves a feeling of mockery.
Although the film touches on several controversial topics in Chirac’s life, such as infidelity, the political issue with Sarkozy, and the eating disorder of one of his daughters, it should be taken primarily as fiction with a real-life tone inspired by Bernadette Chirac.
“The President’s Wife” is a fun and empowering film that connects with the audience who sympathize with the main character. It’s a film that will make you have a good time, a fun look at Bernadette Chirac that could sow the seed of knowing what happened in those years with Chirac and French politics.