Farewell, My Queen (2012)

A look at the platonic relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her female readers during the first days of the French Revolution.

Director:

Benoît Jacquot

Writers:

Benoît Jacquot (scenario), Gilles Taurand (scenario)

Stars:

Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Virginie Ledoyen

6 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Léa Seydoux	...	Agathe-Sidonie Laborde
Diane Kruger	...	Marie Antoinette
Virginie Ledoyen	...	La duchesse Gabrielle de Polignac
Noémie Lvovsky	...	Henriette Genest dite Madame Campan
Xavier Beauvois	...	Le roi Louis XVI
Michel Robin	...	Jacob-Nicolas Moreau - l'archiviste de Versailles
Julie-Marie Parmentier	...	La servante Honorine Aubert (as Julie-Marie Parmentier de la Comédie Française)
Lolita Chammah	...	La domestique Louison
Marthe Caufman	...	La domestique Alice
Vladimir Consigny	...	René dit Paolo
Dominique Reymond	...	Madame de Rochereuil
Anne Benoît	...	Rose Bertin
Hervé Pierre	...	L'abbé Hérissé (as Hervé Pierre Sociétaire de la Comédie Française)
Aladin Reibel	...	L'abbé Cornu de la Balivière
Jacques Nolot	...	Monsieur de Jolivet

Storyline

In July 1789, the French Revolution is rumbling. Far from the turmoil, at the Château de Versailles, King Louis XVI, Queen Marie-Antoinette and their courtiers keep on living their usual carefree lives. But when the news of the storming of the Bastille reaches them, panic sets in and most of the aristocrats and their servants desert the sinking ship, leaving the Royal Family practically alone. Which is not the case of Sidonie Laborde, the Queen's reader, a young woman, entirely devoted to her mistress; she will not give her up under any circumstances. What Sidonie does not know yet is that these are the last three days she will spend in the company of her beloved Queen...

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Plot Keywords:

french revolution | reference to pierre de marivaux | sleeping woman | sleeping nude | pubic hair | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief graphic nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Diane Kruger's mother and Marie Antoinette's mother share the same name: Marie Therese.

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Goofs

Madame de la Tour Du Pin, as portrayed in the film, is a middle-aged woman who is both stout and charmless and seemingly unmoved by the drama of the coming French Revolution. In reality, Madame de la Tour Du Pin was in her early 20s when the events of this film are taking place and was exceedingly charming, attractive and outgoing. She was extremely instrumental in planning her family's escape from France to the United States and very unlike the way she is portrayed in the film.

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Quotes

Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: May I try to attain what Madame Campan couldn't?
Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: I'm better placed to find the words necessary.
Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: I know these words Majesty. From the books I read to you.

User Reviews

Life at Versailles

Farewell My Queen screened recently at the Rendezvous with French Cinema festival in New York. A different take on the oft-told story of Marie Antoinette and the storming of the Bastille, this French film focuses on the difficult behind-the-scenes life at Versailles. An "Upstairs Downstairs" at the grandest palace of all, the protagonist is not the queen but rather her "lectrice" - a lady in waiting whose job is to read books to the bored Marie Antoinette. The film is best at depicting the petty backstabbing, gossiping and ambitions of the hangers-on at court. The crowded and dirty "back stairs" rooms are vividly contrasted to the opulence of the grand state halls. A well acted, nicely paced historical drama.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [France] Official Facebook [United States]

Country:

France Spain

Language:

French English German Italian

Release Date:

21 March 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

Farewell, My Queen

Filming Locations:

Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,100, 15 July 2012

Gross USA:

$1,597,998

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,366,835

Company Credits

Production Co:

GMT Productions, Les Films du Lendemain, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1