Love in absentia (film)

Love in the Wild (in French Les feux de la chandeleur) is a French film by Serge Korber released in 1972.

Synopsis

With his wife Marie-Louise (Annie Girardot) and their two children Juan-Paul and Laura, Alexandre Boursault (Jean Rochefort), a provincial notary, would have been the happiest of men if his wife did not openly state her opinions gauchistes and did not participate in all kinds of demonstrations. The common life that is no longer possible, on February 2, 1962, the day of the Chandeleur, Alexandre separates from his wife... But she soon finds herself reduced to inaction, without a husband, without a job, without children. Ten years later, on February 2, 1972, he steps out wearing a red straw hat as it snows in heavy flakes. Alexandre Boursault sends her a letter - her first in years - to advise her on another hairstyle. This encounter acts like lightning. In this whirlpool Laura (Claude Jade) falls in love with Marc Champenois (Bernard Fresson), a friend of her mother's. Inspired by Laura's happiness, Marie-Louise finds her chance: convinced that Alexandre will not return, she lives only in the hope of a reconciliation...