Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Valérie Donzelli’s ‘À pied d’œuvre’ Opens in France With a Clear-Eyed Look at Precarious Work

The film adapts Franck Courtès’ autobiographical novel through a literary voice-over that foregrounds the realities of gig work.

Overview

  • The nationwide theatrical release in France is set for Wednesday, 4 February 2026, following a festival run that included recognition at the Venice Film Festival.
  • Donzelli co-wrote the adaptation with Gilles Marchand and preserves Courtès’ prose through narrated passages to retain the book’s voice.
  • Bastien Bouillon stars as Paul Marquet, a successful photographer who abandons his career to write and takes low-paid jobs found via a platform.
  • Early reviews emphasize restrained, observational filmmaking and a refusal to romanticize artistic poverty, highlighting Bouillon’s subdued performance.
  • As part of the rollout, Donzelli introduced the film at an advance screening at Le Mazarin in Aix-en-Provence and discussed its themes in recent interviews.