In seventeenth-century France, a travelling theatre troupe stops in a village, where its members come upon a young dancer who, in the rain, captivates the men gathered to watch her. Among them is Gros-René, a comic actor who falls for her immediately and proposes marriage, promising to take her to Paris to launch a stage career. She accepts, and her rise brings her into the orbit of some of the most powerful figures at court, including Molière, Racine and King Louis XIV. Despite her relationships with other men, her affection for her unlikely husband never fades.

How it was made

Directed by Véra Belmont, who co-wrote the script with Gérard Mordillat, the film was shot on location in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Italy, from September to December 1996, while the royal court scenes were filmed at Vaux-le-Vicomte. Sophie Marceau leads a cast that also includes Bernard Giraudeau, Lambert Wilson, Patrick Timsit and Thierry Lhermitte. Jordi Savall composed the score and Jean-Marie Dreujou shot the film, and its costumes and production design recreate the France of the period.

Reception and legacy

Marquise opened in France on 20 August 1997 and in the United States the following month. Critics were generally positive: Variety found it entertaining without being demanding, and Urban Cinefile praised its lavish, intelligent portrait of seventeenth-century French society. It was nominated for the AFI Fest Grand Jury Prize, the British Independent Film Award for Best Foreign Independent Film, and the César Award for Best Music.

Stills

Trailer

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Trivia

Filmed in Italy

Although the story is set in France, shooting took place in Sabbioneta, Mantua, and Soragna, Parma. The royal court scenes were filmed at Vaux-le-Vicomte.

More films by Véra Belmont

Surviving with Wolves2007 Milena1991Milena1991

Red Kiss1985

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.