Que la fête commence
Directed by	Bertrand Tavernier
Produced by	Michelle de Broca Yves Robert
Written by	Jean Aurenche Bertrand Tavernier
Starring	Philippe Noiret
Music by	Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Cinematography	Pierre-William Glenn
Editing by	Armand Psenny
Distributed by	CIC/Fildebroc Productions/Franco London Films/Productions de la Gueville/UPF
Release date(s)	March 23, 1975
Running time	114 min
Country	France
Language	French

Que la fête commence... (English title Let Joy Reign Supreme) is a 1975 French film directed by Bertrand Tavernier and starring Philippe Noiret. It is a historical drama set during the 18th century French Régence centring on the Breton Pontcallec Conspiracy.

It won the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics Prix Méliès, and the César Award for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing and Best Production Design, and was nominated for Best Film, Best Supporting Actress and Best Music.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Awards and nominations 4 External links

[edit] Plot

In France in 1719, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans is the regent for the young Louis XV. He is sophisticated, gentle, a liberal and a libertine. He endeavours to keep his subjects cultured and happy to stop the peasants from rising up, but he knows he has no real royal authority. To assist him, d'Orléans enlists the aid of an atheistic and venal priest named Guillaume Dubois, who is as much of a libertine as Philippe, and unfortunately does not care for anyone except himself. Philippe becomes distraught after his daughter, with whom he has been accused of committing incest, dies. Meanwhile, a rebellion led by a Breton squire named Pontcallec occurs. Philippe's natural idealism is further shaken when he is forced to execute Pontcallec's band of revolutionaries. Dubois, however, tries to take advantage of the revolt and subsequent famine to become archbishop. It becomes apparent that true joy will only be found when the peasants successfully overthrow the aristocrats who have held them down for so long.

The movie provides a description of 18th century court life, and features the music of the real Philippe d'Orléans.

[edit] Cast

• Philippe Noiret - Philippe d'Orléans
• Jean Rochefort - L'abbé Dubois
• Jean-Pierre Marielle - Le marquis de Pontcallec
• Christine Pascal - Emilie
• Alfred Adam - Villeroi
• Jean-Roger Caussimon - Le cardinal
• Gérard Desarthe - Duke of Bourbon
• Michel Beaune - Le capitaine La Griollais
• Monique Chaumette - La gouvernante de Pontcallec
• François Dyrek - Montlouis
• Jean-Paul Farré - Le père Burdo
• Nicole Garcia - La Fillon
• Raymond Girard - Chirac
• Jacques Hilling - L'abbé Gratellard
• Bernard La Jarrige - Amaury de Lambilly
• Michel Blanc - Le valet de chambre de Louis XV
• Christian Clavier - Le valet de l'auberge / Pickpocket
• Thierry Lhermitte - Count of Horn

[edit] Awards and nominations

• César Awards (France)
  • Won: Best Actor – Supporting Role (Jean Rochefort)
  • Won: Best Director (Bertrand Tavernier)
  • Won: Best Production Design (Pierre Guffroy)
  • Won: Best Writing (Jean Aurenche and Bertrand Tavernier)
  • Nominated: Best Actress – Supporting Role (Christine Pascal)
  • Nominated: Best Film
  • Nominated: Best Music (Philippe d'Orléans and Antoine Duhamel)

• French Syndicate of Cinema Critics (France)
  • Won: Best Film (Bertrand Tavernier)

[edit] External links

• Let Joy Reign Supreme at the Internet Movie Database
• Que la fête commence at Allmovie