

The film is set in Marais, a quiet region along the banks of Loire river in 1918. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife and three unruly children. Garris lives alone with his recollections of World War I trenches. Their daily life consists of seasonal work and visits from their two pals: Tane, the local train conductor and Amédée, a dreamer and voracious reader of classics.

Jacques Villeret
Henri Pignol, aka Riton
Lead
Jacques Gamblin
Garriss

André Dussollier
Amédée

Michel Serrault
Hyacinthe Richard, aka 'Pépé la Rainette'

Isabelle Carré
Marie

Éric Cantona
Joseph "Jo" Sardi

Suzanne Flon
Cri-Cri Pignol, aged

Jacques Dufilho
Old man
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Jean Becker's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. The Children of the Marshland is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”