Numéro Une

Successful businesswoman Emmanuelle Blanchey gets the chance to apply for a position as first female CEO of a French company in the upper segment. Supported by a feminist lobby group, she takes on the challenge, but soon hits the glass ceiling in this male-dominated business community.

Emmanuelle is doing well: she has a good job as senior manager in leading French energy supplier Trident, and a great family. Her ambition and outstanding qualities – she speaks Mandarin fluently – have gained her the attention of a feminist group that advocates a better position and equal opportunities for French female politicians and businesswomen. The current CEO of one of the biggest companies in France is on long-term sick leave and a procedure has been launched to recruit his successor. The lobby group believes Emmanuelle is the perfect candidate to become the first female CEO of a company of this size and status. While supporting her to get the job, they also warn her that she’ll meet with opposition. Emmanuelle takes on the challenge and discovers a world full of intrigue, political games and defamation, making her aware that the coveted position comes at a high price.

Numéro Une is part of the Second Sex theme programme.