Ariane's Thread

Ariane's Thread (French: Au fil d'Ariane) is a 2014 French comedy-drama directed by Robert Guédiguian, who wrote the screenplay together with Serge Valletti; the director himself has called it a "fantaisie." The story centers on Ariane, a woman in Marseille who, on her birthday, steps out of her routine existence and wanders through the city. Along the way she encounters a succession of surprising strangers, and these meetings gradually steer her day—and her outlook—in a new direction. The cast features Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Gérard Meylan, Anaïs Demoustier, Adrien Jolivet, Lola Naymark, Youssouf Djaoro, Jacques Boudet and Judith Magre. Produced by Agat Films & Cie – Ex Nihilo with Canal+, the 92-minute picture continues Guédiguian's long-standing partnership with his repertory of actors and his affection for working-class Marseille, mixing drama with moments of comedy and gentle fantasy.