Stumbling across an uncompleted 1939 film called "Princess Marushka", filmmaker Sam becomes intrigued with the young actor Sylvain Marceau, who last appeared in the film. Hoping to discover the mystery behind Sylvain's disappearance, Sam decides to make a documentary and sets off to interview those who knew Sylvain, including elderly Lisa Morain. Through her interview, Sam learns the story of Lisa and Sylvain's doomed love affair on the eve of World War II.
Acting
Jeanne Moreau and Cotillard's Lisa—generations of longing in one role.
Cinematography
Gorgeously recreates 1930s film sets and wartime France.
Production
The nested film-within-film structure is visually delicious.
Director
Pierre Grimblat
Jeanne Moreau
Lisa (old)
Marion Cotillard
Lisa (young)
Benoît Magimel
Sam
Sagamore Stévenin
Sylvain Marceau
Michel Jonasz
Benjamin
Catherine Arditi
Marina
Denise Chalem
Simone
Johan Leysen
Professor Seyden
Jacques Pater
Castellain
Marisa Berenson
Princess Maruschka
Pierre Dherte
Edouard
Filip Peeters
Colonel von Boll
Hélène Theunissen
Mme Ergolsheim
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jeanne Moreau was 73 and Cotillard 25 when filming—their shared role spans nearly 50 years of Lisa's life.
The 'film within a film' structure echoes real French cinematic history: many pre-war productions were abandoned or lost during Nazi occupation.
FR
CH
