A Summer's Tale

A Summer's Tale is a 1996 French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer. It is the third film in his Contes des quatre saisons (Tales of the Four Seasons) series, which also includes A Tale of Springtime (1990), A Tale of Winter (1992), and Autumn Tale (1998). A Summer's Tale stars Amanda Langlet, Melvil Poupaud, Aurélia Nolin and Gwenaëlle Simon. The plot is loosely based on Rohmer's experiences as a young film student and his various relationships. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. Plot Gaspard, a mathematics graduate and musician, is on summer holiday by the seaside in Dinard. He arrives alone and spends all his time in his friend's empty flat composing music and walking around the town. He meets Margot, a cheerful waitress, at a restaurant. Despite his initial reluctance, they soon become friends and meet daily to walk around the area. Margot has a PhD in ethnology, and conducts research interviews with local Bretons in her spare time. Gaspard has an on again/off again girlfriend, Léna, who is planning to visit Dinard. Margot tells him that she has a long-distance boyfriend. Gaspard speaks of his confused relationship with Léna while Margot offers advice. Gaspard clumsily tries to kiss Margot, which she lightheartedly brushes off. Margot takes Gaspard on a research trip to a local fisherman's house to discuss maritime folk songs. Gaspard is inspired by the fisherman's stories and writes his own sea shanty, a diversion from his typical blues music.