The women of the Paridier farm, under the deft hand of Hortense, the family's matriarch (Nathalie Baye), must grapple with the workload while the men, including two sons, are off at the front.
Hortense reluctantly brings on an outsider, the hard-scrabble teenage orphan, Francine (Iris Bry), to help her daughter Solange (Laura Smet, Ms. Baye’s real-life daughter).
New tools allow the women to triumph over the land, newfound independence is acquired, yet emotions are stirred especially when the men return from the front on short leaves.
Beauvois revels in the mysteries and beauties of the French countryside, here unravaged by war, with painterly images bathed in natural light, yet keeps his focus on the intricate drama that plays out against the upheaval of the Great War.
Directed by Xavier Beauvois. Written by Xavier Beauvois, Frédérique Moreau and Marie-Julie Maille. Based on a novel by Ernest Pérochon. Cinematography by Caroline Champetier, A.F.C. Produced by Sylvie Pialat and Benoît Quainon. Co-producers Pauline Gygax and Max Karli. Starring Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet, Iris Bry, Cyril Descours, Gilbert Bonneau, Olivier Rabourdin, Nicolas Giraud and Mathilde Viseux-Ely. A Music Box Films release.
THE GUARDIANS
In French With English Subtitles
Opens In Los Angeles On May 11 (New York On May 4)