The title is inspired by Victor Hugo 's poem "melancholia" which denounced the young children's work in the mines in the nineteenth century (Où vont tous ces enfants dont pas un seul ne rit? Where are all these children going,none of whom is laughing?).
Although fictionalized ,it's based on the true story of Lucie Baud,an obscure unionist who took a rebel stand against the wealthy bosses who exploited the working class economically (and the women sexually),against the stranglehold catholic religion had on their flock's life ; she also rebels against the union, who could not,would not let a woman (it was 1946 before they voted !)play a prominent part ; the congressmen interrupt her before she has finished her speech ,which deals with concrete facts whereas her male "camarades " talk about great ideas which cannot reach the humble working man (and woman) whose every day life is close to slavery .
The separation between the Church and the State had not yet happened (1905) and as soon as they're born ,the children are taught to obey their masters ; but some of them do not believe in the menace of Hell and in pie in the sly anymore when they live their Hell on their earthly ride .
Some characters (bosses,priests) often verge on caricature but Virginie Le Doyen portrays this strong woman with conviction ;and this excellent actress gets strong support from Philippe Torreton as an unionist who loves her but hesitates when it comes to considering her his equal in their struggle. A woman 's work is never done :she has to take care of her children (and her own children do not approve of her opinions, because they are blamed at school and in the street by the populace).
There's a good use of songs -'le temps des cerises" "plaisir d'amour" and moments of happiness: the ball in the guinguette which recall the past masters (Renoir,Duvivier,Becker), the scene when the Italian workers are given soap and they have a bath in the nude in the river."Divide and rule " is the bosses' motto : "these Italian women are our sisters,we've got to stand together "says the heroine.
