The Princess of Montpensier (film)
The Princess of Montpensier is a Franco-German historical film by Bertrand Tavernier from 2010. It is based on the novella La princesse de Montpensier by Madame de La Fayette .
action
In 1562 the Huguenots and the Catholics were at war. Count François de Chabannes also took part in the religious war until he could no longer bear the horrors of war. He deserted, and although peace was announced shortly afterwards, he was an outlaw: the Catholics hate him because he fought for the Huguenots, and the Huguenots hunted him down because he deserted. When he was about to be hanged by highwaymen, the young Philippe von Montpensier, whose teacher Chabannes was once, rescues him. Chabannes now enters Philippe's service. Although Philippe is Catholic, Chabannes wants to stay out of any fights and instead devote himself to the arts and his research.
Philippe's father has found a bride for his son, who has just come out of the war successfully: It is the young Marie de Mézières, who was actually promised to her cousin de Guise. The Duke of Montpensier manages to break the connection, but Marie has long since fallen in love with de Guises' brother, Henri . At first she defends herself against the wedding with Philippe; however, on the advice of her mother, she finally gives in. She follows her husband to a family castle far from the turmoil of war. A short time later, Philippe has to take part in a campaign on the orders of the king and leaves Marie behind. It is to be instructed by Chabannes in his absence so that one day it can survive at the queen's court. Chabannes teaches Marie Latin and, at her express request, also how to write. He also teaches them about the constellations. When Philippe returns, he is outraged that Marie has learned to write. He suspects that she wants to write secret letters to a suitor - Henri de Guise - or to receive letters from him. Marie, however, has suppressed any feeling for Henri and also rebukes Chabannes when he confesses to her that he loves her.
Later the Duke of Anjou appear at Philippe's castle and Henri in his entourage. Philippe suspects that Marie caused this; but she reacts indignantly to the accusation. The Duke of Anjou, the king's brother, is entranced by Marie. He suspects a liaison between Marie and Henri, but denies any feelings for Marie; they would have known each other since childhood. Philippe travels to Paris at the request of his father and has Marie follow suit a little later. Both move into their apartments in the Louvre, where they also meet the Duke of Anjou and Henri. They learn that Philippe's father wants to remarry: Henri's sister Catherine. The bond between the Mézières and Guise families is becoming closer. Through the mediation of the Duke of Anjou, Marie receives an audience with Queen Katherina de Medici . Henri matches her on her way there and confesses his love to her. Philippe notices the scene and challenges Henri to a duel. The Duke of Anjou manages to separate the two men before they can injure themselves. Shortly afterwards, Henri manages to meet Marie alone. Both withdraw into a niche in the castle; but Marie leaves after Henri has kissed her. She confides in Chabannes, who warns her. She is not supposed to see Henri again, but Marie cannot prevent this: She is invited to the big costume ball, which Henri will also be at. She sees him at the ball and wants to warn him about Philippe's jealousy. She makes an appointment with him at their secret meeting point, but does not notice that Henri's costume is worn by numerous people. She does not speak to him, but to the Duke of Anjou, who now recognizes Henri as a rival in his own efforts for Marie. He has Marie looked for, warns her about Henri and his false oaths of love, and brings her to Philippe. He is beside himself with anger and announces that Marie will go back to the remote castle the next day.
That night, Philippe has Marie's room closely guarded. He releases dogs in the courtyard while Chabannes is supposed to organize a guard in front of their door. However, Chabannes is stopped by Henri and threatened with a weapon. He should let him see Marie. Chabannes talks to Marie, who wants to see Henri. Chabannes secretly guides Henri into Marie's bedroom; but Philippe has become suspicious and goes to the room. Chabannes can hide Henri and sacrifices himself. He opens Philippe and Philippe believes that Chabannes has stalked his wife. He immediately releases him from his service and Chabannes leaves. Later Marie and Henri spend the night together. The next morning Marie rides back to the castle alone. Chabannes finds accommodation in a small tavern in Paris. He writes Marie a letter in which he warns her against her unsuspecting behavior towards men. When he wants to deliver the letter, he gets caught up in the turmoil of Bartholomew's Night and is murdered when he rushes to the aid of a woman. Philippe finds the letter with him and brings it to Marie. He has read it and now knows that Marie still has feelings for Henri, even if Chabannes warns her in his letter that Henri will always choose the better game. Philippe tells her that Henri has become engaged to Catherine de Clèves . Marie now wants to win Henri back, even if Philippe declares their relationship over. She goes to Henri, but realizes that he has actually given her up for Catherine. Sobered, she first goes to Chabanne's grave and then goes to a monastery. She knows that from now on she will lead a life without love.
production
The Princess of Montpensier was filmed within nine weeks in autumn 2009. Messilhac Castle served as the castle of Montpensier; other locations were the Palais Jacques-Cœur in Bourges , the Noirlac Monastery in Bruère-Allichamps , the Meillant Castle and the Blois Castle . In addition to French production companies, the German Pandora was also involved in the production.
The film premiered on May 16, 2010 at the Cannes International Film Festival , where it was screened in the competition for the Palme d' Or. In Germany it was first seen on June 29, 2010 at the Munich Film Festival . It was released on DVD in June 2012.
criticism
For the film service , The Princess of Montpensier was a "brilliant historical film of raw beauty with outstanding actors, rough baroque battle scenes and exquisite equipment, which creates a gripping, dramatic portrait of a woman from a time when women were given little leeway."
Cinema found that the film was "a dark mix of costume drama and love story, which somewhat neglects the historical background".
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung stated in its review: “With the true friendship embodied by Count von Chabannes, the successful costume cinema shares the art of renunciation. Its shape lives from what it leaves out. Bertrand Tavernier still masters it masterfully. "
Awards
At the Chicago International Film Festival , The Princess of Montpensier was nominated for a Golden Hugo for best feature film in 2010. In 2011, Caroline de Vivaise won the César in the Best Costume category . The film also received César nominations in the categories of Best Supporting Actor (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet), Best Cinematography (Bruno Keyzer), Best Adapted Screenplay (Bertrand Tavernier, Jean Cosmos and François-Olivier Rousseau), Best Film Music (Philippe Sarde) and Best Production design ( Guy-Claude François ).
Web links
- The Princess of Montpensier in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The Princess of Montpensier in the German dubbing file
Individual evidence
- ↑ Release certificate for The Princess of Montpensier . Voluntary self-regulation of the film industry , April 2011 (PDF; test number: 127 332 V).
- ↑ See Fabien Lemercier: Tavernier and La Princesse de Montpensier , cineuropa.org, September 4, 2009.
- ↑ The Princess of Montpensier. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ↑ See cinema.de
- ↑ Black hunter, white heart . In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , October 28, 2011, accessed on October 3, 2013.