 In a French village, Manou is an Italian logger, virile, with a broad laugh. He can t say no to women s sexual invitations, and jealous villagers blame him for recent fires and a flood. He is innocent; the culprit is "Mademoiselle," town schoolmarm, a recent arrival admired by all, but sexually repressed and obsessed with Manou. She sets the first fire accidentally and throbs watching a shirtless Manou perform heroics. Subsequent catastrophes are no accident and express her mad passion for him. Also, after befriending Manou s son, she turns on the lad, making him miserable and raising his suspicions. Her designs, Manou s frank innocence, and the town s xenophobia mix explosively.