Directed by Patrice Leconte. In French with English subtitles. 1:03 minutes. Rated R.

Introduction by Hélène Visentin, Professor of French Studies, Smith College.

Set in 1783, the film follows a provincial engineer/aristocrat who heads to the Court of Louis XVI at Versailles to gain support for a local drainage project. The plot unfolds as he learns the manners of gaining favor and prestige through wit and patronage. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Ridiculewas also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.