Ahead of its premiere in competition at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, the trailer for Marguerite et Julien has made its way online. The film, directed by Valerie Donzelli (Main dans la Main) and starring Anais Demoustier (Elles) and Jeremie Elkaim (La Guerre est Declaree), follow a sister and brother with such a strong connection that their relationship eventually turns incestuous and unacceptable to the aristocratic society they were born into.
The film’s script is based on one originally written for legendary French director François Truffaut in the 1970’s by Jean Gruault. And, as the trailer indicates, this story itself is based on a historical account of a sibling couple executed for incest in the early 1600’s in France. The subject matter is obviously taboo but the trailer seems to be selling a traditional love story with a slightly more forbidden twist. If anything, the film looks like a strong dramatic period piece and one can check it out below thanks to Telerama, along with images and a poster.
Julien and Marguerite de Ravalet, son and daughter of the Lord of Tourlaville, have loved each other tenderly since childhood. But as they grow up, their affection veers toward voracious passion. Scandalized by their affair, society hounds them until, unable to resist their feelings, they flee. A contemporary fairytale about desire, passion, hope, love and death. A timeless story, beyond all morality.
Marguerite et Julien premieres at Cannes and opens in France on September 30th.