The Tree, the Mayor and the Mediatheque

The Tree, the Mayor and the Mediatheque is a French comedy-drama film that was released in 1993. The film was directed by Eric Rohmer, and features an ensemble cast that includes Pascal Greggory, Arielle Dombasle, and Fabrice Luchini. The story is set in a small, picturesque French town called Montpellier, and revolves around the attempts of the town's mayor and a local library director to build a new mediatheque.

The film begins with the arrival of the new mayor, Julien Dechaumes (Greggory), who is a young, idealistic man who wants to modernize the town and bring it into the 21st century. His first order of business is to commission a new mediatheque, which he believes will bring culture and education to the people of Montpellier. To this end, he hires the beautiful and talented Samantha Raphelson (Dombasle) to design and run the mediatheque.

However, not everyone in the town is on board with the mayor's plans. One of his biggest opponents is the local bookseller, Madame Bergeret (Françoise Fabian), who fears that the new mediatheque will put her out of business. At the same time, the mayor is also dealing with personal issues, including his love for Samantha, and his conflicted relationship with his mother (played by Rosette).

As the film progresses, the mayor's dreams of creating a new mediatheque become more complicated. He discovers that the proposed site for the mediatheque has an ancient chestnut tree on it that is beloved by the townspeople. To make matters worse, the tree is set to be cut down so that a new road can be built. The mayor must now decide whether to continue with his plans for the mediatheque, or to abandon them in order to save the beloved tree.

Meanwhile, Samantha begins to experience her own set of problems. She discovers that her husband, who she thought was dead, is actually alive and in the town. This throws a wrench in her relationship with the mayor and causes her to question her own motivations for building the mediatheque.

Throughout the film, the mayor and his allies, including the town librarian (Luchini), work tirelessly to convince the townspeople that the new mediatheque is a good idea. However, they face stiff opposition from Madame Bergeret, who organizes a petition against the mediatheque. The final confrontation between the mayor and Madame Bergeret is one of the film's most memorable scenes, and showcases the talents of both Greggory and Fabian.

Overall, The Tree, the Mayor and the Mediatheque is a charming and engaging film that blends comedy, drama, and romance in a unique and satisfying way. The film's beautiful French setting, coupled with Rohmer's skillful direction and the outstanding performances of its cast, make it a must-see for fans of French cinema.