Ep 7. The Lottery (English subtitled)
- TV-NR
- October 13, 2009
- 47 min
In the seventh episode of the first season of A French Village, titled "The Lottery," the town of Villeneuve is preparing for a lottery to determine which families will be moved out of their homes to make room for German soldiers. The tension is palpable as the townspeople wait to hear if their name will be chosen, and some residents resort to desperate measures to try and secure their spot in town.
Mayor Servier, played by Robin Renucci, struggles with the weight of his responsibilities as a town leader. He must balance the needs of his constituents with keeping the peace with the occupying German forces. Meanwhile, the resistance continues to operate in secret, with Raymond Schwartz, played by Thierry Godard, leading the charge.
As the lottery approaches, tensions rise between the various factions in the town. The Germans insist that the move is necessary for the war effort, but the French residents of Villeneuve fear for their safety and the safety of their families.
Against this backdrop, we see the various characters grappling with their own personal demons. Hortense Larcher, played by Audrey Fleurot, is torn between her love for Heinrich Müller, played by Richard Sammel, and her loyalty to her country. Lucienne Broderie, played by Marie Kremer, struggles with her own feelings of guilt over her role in the occupation and the choices she has made to survive.
The episode culminates in the tense lottery, as families wait to hear their names called, hoping against hope that they will be allowed to remain in their homes. The fate of the town hangs in the balance, and the tension is palpable on the screen.
Overall, "The Lottery" is a gripping episode that showcases the strengths of A French Village - a talented ensemble cast, complex characters, and a nuanced portrayal of wartime France. As the stakes continue to rise in Villeneuve, the audience is left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next episode.