Assayas’ sumptuous period drama is an ode to artists and the artistic process. Adapted from Jacques Chardonne’s family saga, the film recounts in exquisite detail the interlinked lives of two familiesin 1900 – one distils cognac in Charente, the other manufactures porcelain in Limoges. Changes in society impact on their lives, including the growth of mass production and the onset of war. Will the quest for perfection be quashed by the demands of the marketplace? With the crème of French acting talent, the film’s tribute to artists is reflected in its attention to every perfectly recreated detail.
Les Destinées sentimentales
Directed by Olivier Assayas