Mathilde Seigner: New TV Film Highlights French Farming Crisis
Mathilde Seigner is returning to television with a project that tackles a subject often overlooked in French primetime: the struggles of the nation’s agricultural community. The actress, known for her prolific film career, stars in the upcoming téléfilm Au cœur de nos terres (At the Heart of Our Lands), set to air on on France 2.
The film centers on Laure (Seigner), a sales representative for agricultural equipment, who is compelled to return to her family farm after her brother suffers a heart attack. She quickly discovers the farm is on the brink of financial ruin, burdened by debt accumulated through a failed attempt at diversification. Laure, with the help of an old flame now working with an association supporting struggling farmers, uncovers a conspiracy aimed at driving local farmers out of business to acquire their land.
Seigner’s involvement in the project wasn’t simply a matter of accepting a role. it stemmed from a genuine desire to highlight the challenges faced by French farmers. Speaking on the France 5 program C à vous on , Seigner revealed she’s a regular viewer of the show, watching “every evening.” It was while watching France 2 and the Saturday news program featuring reports on female farmers that the idea for Au cœur de nos terres began to take shape.
“The idea was to talk about the agricultural world, which I have supported for a long time,” Seigner explained. She and her partner, Mathieu Petit, felt there was a compelling story to tell for France Télévisions, particularly given the network’s tendency to focus heavily on crime dramas. “They have an enormous number of polars! It’s not a criticism, but there are quite a few,” she playfully remarked, acknowledging the network’s established programming preferences.
Seigner’s observation about the prevalence of crime dramas on French television wasn’t intended as a harsh critique, but rather a subtle nudge towards greater diversity in subject matter. She pointed out the importance of showcasing the realities of the agricultural sector, a world she believes is often neglected by mainstream media. The timing of the film’s release is particularly poignant, as more than half of French farmers are expected to retire by 2030 without a clear succession plan, a crisis highlighted by the recent documentary Un été à la ferme (A Summer on the Farm), released on .
The situation is further complicated by external pressures, as depicted in Au cœur de nos terres, where farmers are targeted by a scheme to seize their land and control water resources under the guise of environmentalism. This narrative resonates with broader concerns about the future of small agricultural operations in France, a theme also explored in Didier Le Pêcheur’s 2025 film, Au cœur de nos terres, which similarly focuses on a family farm facing financial hardship.
Seigner emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that farmers are “in great difficulty,” and often overlooked. She hopes the film will contribute to raising awareness of their plight and prompting a more nuanced conversation about the challenges they face. The actress, a three-time César Award nominee, sees this project as a way to use her platform to amplify the voices of those working to sustain a vital part of French culture and economy.
While Au cœur de nos terres is a fictional narrative, it draws inspiration from real-world anxieties surrounding the future of French agriculture. The film’s focus on a family farm and the intergenerational challenges of succession mirrors the concerns raised in Un été à la ferme, which follows a 12-year-old boy grappling with the responsibilities and uncertainties of farm life. Both projects underscore the delicate balance between tradition and change, and the need for innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of French farming for generations to come.
The release of Au cœur de nos terres comes at a critical juncture, as the French agricultural sector navigates a period of significant transition. The film’s exploration of financial pressures, land grabs, and water scarcity reflects the complex realities faced by farmers across the country, and its intimate portrayal of a family struggling to survive offers a compelling and timely commentary on the state of French agriculture.