Master director Bertrand Tavernier (A Sunday in the Country, Life and Nothing But) makes a grand return to large-scale period filmmaking with this visually and emotionally powerful saga of unrequited love and diabolical intrigue set against the French religious wars of the 16th century. Adapted from the book by Madame de La Fayette (considered France’s first true novelist), The Princess of Montpensier follows the complicated fortunes of the beautiful heiress Marie de Mézières (newcomer Mélanie Thierry), in love with the dashing Duc de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), but forced by her father to marry the more powerful Prince de Montpensier (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). Also pining in silence for Marie’s affections: the prince’s tutor and close friend, the Comte de Chabannes, played with heartbreaking delicacy by Lambert Wilson.

A Sundance Selects release.