In a French village, Manou is an Italian logger, virile, with a broad laugh. He cant say no to womens 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 Manous son, she turns on the lad, making him miserable and raising his suspicions. Her designs, Manous frank innocence, and the towns xenophobia mix explosively.