Murderous Maids
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Jean-Pierre Denis |
| Products | Film |
Murderous Maids () is a French motion picture released in 2000, directed by Jean-Pierre Denis. It dramatizes the real-life events surrounding the Papin sisters, Christine and Lea Papin, who were maids implicated in a famous double homicide in 1933. The film's script, co-authored by Denis and Michèle Pétin, draws from Paulette Houdyer's work L'affaire Papin. In France, the movie recorded an audience of 360,846 viewers.
Plot
Sisters Christine Papin (Sylvie Testud) and Léa Papin (Julie-Marie Parmentier), burdened by a difficult history, serve as domestic workers in Le Mans, France. Following various housekeeping positions, they begin employment with the Lancelin family—comprising Monsieur Lancelin, his spouse, and their grown daughter Genevieve. Christine views Madame Lancelin as a maternal figure despite her severity. Their harsh childhood—characterized by neglectful parenting, an alcoholic father, and time spent in orphanages—results in social withdrawal and hopelessness. After six years of working for the family, their circumstances tragically escalate to the violent killing of Madame Lancelin and her daughter on February 2, 1933.
Cast
- Sylvie Testud portraying Christine Papin
- Julie-Marie Parmentier as Léa Papin
- Isabelle Renauld in the role of Clémence
- François Levantal as Le Gazé
- Dominique Labourier playing Madame Lancelin
- Jean-Gabriel Nordmann as Monsieur Lancelin
- Marie Donnio depicting Geneviève Lancelin
- Michaël Abiteboul as Etienne
- Nadia Barentin portraying La mère supérieure
Awards and nominations
Sylvie Testud was honored with the 2001 César Award for Most Promising Actress for her portrayal of Christine Papin. Additionally, the film received César nominations for Best Film and Best Director (Jean-Pierre Denis).