Les Saisons du plaisir (1988)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky

Film Synopsis

Happy newly weds Charles and Emmanuelle Van Bert can be forgiven for wanting to take things more easily.  Both are over a hundred years old and are keen to get on with their retirement, but first Charles has the somewhat onerous task of appointing his successor.  There is no shortage of possible candidates, all champing at the bit to take over his successful perfumery business, so Charles has his work cut out choosing the man - or woman - to succeed him.  Seeing this as a momentous event, he decides to announce his decision at the next annual meeting of perfumers, to be held as usual at his grand private residence.

The air is charged with electricity as the conference gets under way, in an atmosphere of stifling febrility.  Could the possible successor be a trusty old hand like Bernadette and Dominique or a feisty newcomer such as Sophie and Thierry?  Emmanuelle's daughter Jacqueline could also be in the running - she is desperate to make a fresh start after her conjugal disasters with Garibaldi, one of Charles's henchmen.   They make a weird bunch - a collection of prostitutes, nymphomaniacs, homosexuals and libertines - but, their sexual peccadilloes aside, surely one of these oddballs is capable of running a perfumery empire?  Charles's decision causes quite a stir, but this will be the least of his problems...