André Michel esssentially worked for TV ,notably in the miniseries "Les Thibault " based on Roger Martin Du Gard 's nobelized novel (he directed the first three episodes).
His few theatrically released works sunk in total oblivion in France ;his version of "sans famille" is undistinguished .And although three famous French actors (Maurice Ronet,Marina Vlady,Nicole Courcel)are in it, it remains unsung in its native land.
Although based on a Russian novel (Vlady herself was of Russian descent),Aino is closer to Georges Sand 's little savage of "La Petite Fadette "; the scene in which Laurent gets lost in the forest seems to be taken out of this novel. It's very hard to believe she is a witch ,it does not smack of heresy and the denouement is rather implausible: perhaps in the Russian novelist's life and times ,it made sense in a holier-than-thou stifled atmosphere .The depiction of the inhabitants' life is too skimmed over to be convincing.
If you take Aino for what she appears in the film, an outcast ,a pariah , then you can appreciate her scenes with Laurent ,notably in the city when she tries shoes on and savors an ice cream; his rebellion against the bourgeois society represented by business woman Kristina who took the engineer's love for granted. Marina Vlady is ideally cast as long-haired blond mysterious girl (she's more a fairy than she is a witch !)who gracefully haunts the woods (recalling another forgotten movie "la cage "(1963)); Laurent helping her break through the language barrier is touching indeed. Her refusal ,because she knows she's not like the other girls ,when he proposes to her.
In spite of the expressed reservations, "la sorcière" should bee more known in its country.
