Ozon Reclaims 1934 Play, Transforms Macho Vaudeville into Feminist Thriller “My Crime”
PARIS – François OzonS new film, My Crime, isn’t simply a period piece; it’s a pointed reclamation of a 1934 vaudeville, My crime, originally penned by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil.While the original play presented a distinctly macho worldview, Ozon’s adaptation actively subverts those themes, delivering a story of female solidarity and challenging societal constraints of the era – a resonance amplified by contemporary movements like #MeToo.
The original play centered on a murder trial with a focus on societal judgment and a somewhat dismissive portrayal of the female characters. Ozon, however, saw an prospect to excavate the potential for a feminist narrative within the existing framework. He deliberately “injected a little #metoo and revolt” into the script, according to Rebecca Marder, who plays lawyer Pauline in the film. the film follows aspiring actress Madeleine Verdier (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) accused of murder, and her best friend Pauline, who defends her, leading to an acquittal based on self-defense.
Both Tereszkiewicz and Marder emphasized the strong bond between their characters as central to the film’s feminist core. Tereszkiewicz noted the adaptation “made it a profoundly feminist film,” highlighting the “indestructible” sisterhood between Madeleine and Pauline. Marder further explained that the 1930s setting actually enhances the characters’ boldness, making them “more visionary than immoral” for speaking out in a time when women’s voices were often silenced. My Crime thus transforms a potentially misogynistic story into one of female agency,friendship,and defiance.