In late nineteenth century Charante, Protestant minister Jean Barnery causes local disquiet when he arranges a separation from his obsessive wife. He and his lover keep their love strong as the world changes around them.
Cinematography
Eric Gautier's painterly compositions make suffering beautiful.
Acting
Béart and Berling smolder through decades of restraint.
Direction
Assayas crafts three hours that feel like a lifetime.
Director
Olivier Assayas
Emmanuelle Béart
Pauline Pommerel
Charles Berling
Jean Barnery
Isabelle Huppert
Nathalie Barnery
Olivier Perrier
Philippe Pommerel
Dominique Reymond
Julie Desca
André Marcon
Paul Desca
Alexandra London
Louise Desca
Julie Depardieu
Marcelle
Louis-Do de Lencquesaing
Arthur Pommerel
Mia Hansen-Løve
Aline
Pascal Bongard
Vouzelles
Didier Flamand
Guy Barnery
Catherine Mouchet
Fernande
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Assayas adapted this from Jacques Chardonne's 1934 novel, a work banned under Vichy France for its 'immorality'—ironic given its puritanical protagonist.
FR
