Rohmer’s stated intention with Tales of the Four Seasons was to “focus on attractive, intelligent, self-absorbed if not entirely self-aware young women who present their dilemmas with clarity and elegance and express their feelings in inspired and witty dialogue.”

In this first instalment, philosophy teacher Jeanne (Anne Teyssèdre) strikes up a friendship with college student Natacha (Florence Darel), who offers her a place to stay while her own apartment is temporarily occupied. Disapproving of her father’s current partner, Natacha tries to manoeuvre him and Jeanne into a relationship. The development of well-rounded characters is everything here as Rohmer allows events to unfold at their own pace.

Official Selection, Berlin Film Festival 1990

This film is screening as part Les Films du Losange 50th Anniversary programme. This programme consists of three parts: Part One is showing in October, Part Two (which includes this screening) concerns the work of Éric Rohmer while Part Three  will run as a strand of 2012 IFI French Film Festival.