‘Take… / ...Take some flour,

put it… / ...put it in the bowl...

’

​

Catherine Deneuve making the cake of love in Jacques Demy’s film is an exquisite scene. Peau d’Ane slips her ring into the cake she is making for the Prince, giving a clue that will free her from her sorry disguise. Princesses who are called Peau d’Ane, Sleeping Beauty, or Cinderella always end up in the arms of a prince. They are good and obedient and meekly overcome unkindness, humiliation, and the hard life of the poor…before they find the path of roses that is their destiny – thanks namely to a little help from friendly godmothers.

Peau d’Ane was the biggest success of Jacques Demy’s career. The film came out in December 1970 and the audience was conquered by the refined staging, the wonderful scenery and costumes and the splendid cast (Catherine Deneuve, Jean Marais, Jacques Perrin, Delphine Seyrig Micheline Presle)...