It's mid 19th century, north of France. The story of a coal miner's town. They are exploited by the mine's owner. One day the decide to go on strike, and then the authorities repress them.
Germinal is a 1993 French-Belgian epic film based on the 1885 novel by Émile Zola. It was directed by Claude Berri, and stars Renaud, Miou-Miou and Gérard Depardieu. At the time it was the most expensive movie ever produced in France. It was the fourth most attended film of the year in France.