Que la fête commence

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Que la fête commence
Directed by	Bertrand Tavernier
Produced by	Michelle de Broca Yves Robert
Written by	Jean Aurenche Bertrand Tavernier
Starring	Philippe Noiret
Music by	Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Cinematography	Pierre-William Glenn
Editing by	Armand Psenny
Distributed by	CIC/Fildebroc Productions/Franco London Films/Productions de la Gueville/UPF
Release date(s)	March 23, 1975
Running time	114 min
Country	France
Language	French
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Que la fête commence... (English title Let Joy Reign Supreme) is a 1975 French film directed by Bertrand Tavernier and starring Philippe Noiret.

It won the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics Prix Méliès, and the César Award for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing and Best Production Design, and was nominated for Best Film, Best Supporting Actress and Best Music.

[edit] Plot

In France in 1719, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans is the regent for the young Louis XV. He is cultured, gentle, a liberal and a libertine. He endeavors to keep his subjects cultured and happy to stop the peasants from rising up, but he knows he has no real royal authority. To assist, D'Orleans enlists the aid of an atheistic and cupid priest named Guillaume Dubois, who is as libertine as Philippe, and unfortunately does not care for anyone except himself. Philippe becomes distraught after his daughter, with whom he has been accused of committing incest, dies. Meanwhile, a rebellion lead by a Breton squire named Pontallec occurs. Philippe's natural idealism is further shaken when he must execute a band of revolutionaries. Dubois, however, tries to take advantage of the revolt and famine to become archbishop. It becomes apparent that true joy will only be found when the peasants successfully overthrow the aristocrats who held them down for so long.

The movie provides a description of 18th century court life, and features the music of the real Phillippe D'Orleans.