Continuity mistake: After Vianne tosses her mother's ashes into the strong "north wind" she closes the window and turns to Anouk who is laying in bed. We see Anouk's hair blowing gently about her face for a few seconds, but this would not be possible since the window had been closed (and presumably no others are open on such a cold, blustery morning). (01:50:15)
Continuity mistake: The setting for the film is a village on top of a high hill; however, the slow running river which supposedly runs next to the village would not be there. Water courses always seek the lowest points which would be in the valley away from the village. You can see from the opening aerial view that the river would have to be far from the hill. (00:03:50)
Answer: The mayor is resistant to any change and tries to subvert any influence that threatens its traditions.
raywest