The feature film Diary of a Chambermaid , directed by Radu Jude and produced by SBS Productions, has been selected for the Directors' Fortnight. Supported by Gironde Tournages, the film was shot in Bordeaux, France, in October 2025, as well as in Romania.
Photo from the filming in Bordeaux ©Nathalie Bremond ALCA – Film poster © SBS Films 4 Proof Film
Presented as a world premiere during the Directors' Fortnight, Diary of a Chambermaid confirms the place of Bordeaux and the Gironde in the trajectory of ambitious film productions, led by top filmmakers and open to international circulation.
The film follows Gianina, a young Romanian woman who comes to work for a French family. In the evenings, she participates in an amateur theatre group preparing an adaptation of Octave Mirbeau 's Diary of a Chambermaid , published in 1900. Between her daily life as a housekeeper, the social relationships that permeate her work environment, and the connection she maintains from afar with her own daughter who remained in Romania, the narrative unfolds a contemporary perspective on literary legacies, displacement, domestic work, and class relations.
With this new feature film, Radu Jude continues a body of work recognized for its formal rigor, political acuity, and its ability to create a dialogue between history, literature, and contemporary tensions. The film's selection for the Directors' Fortnight provides significant visibility to this production, while also highlighting the regions and partners who supported its production.
For Gironde Tournages, this selection illustrates the importance of providing close support to productions : location scouting, connecting with local contacts, logistical support, and promoting the region's resources. It also demonstrates the attractiveness of Bordeaux and the Gironde region for international independent film projects, while highlighting the importance of a structured support system for filming between France and other countries.
This news comes amid a particularly strong presence in Cannes for Gironde Tournages, also marked by the selection of Blanca Camell Galí's short film Premier Feu for the Unifrance Short Film Award . Two films supported by the organization are thus being honored in Cannes, confirming the region's dynamism in terms of hosting and filmmaking.
The Gironde Tournages team also participates in the Film Market, as part of the Cannes Film Festival.
Meet Claire Verlhac from May 15 to 18 and Marie Rateau from May 16 to 19 at the Film France-CNC pavilion #101 to discuss your projects, location searches and the personalized support offered in Gironde.
Learn more about Gironde Tournages' participation in MDF 2026
