Paul (Daniel Auteuil) is a respected surgeon. Lucie (Kristin Scott Thomas) cooks and gardens exquisitely. Together, they bring joy and a sense of stability to their extended family and community of friends. But Paul’s sudden passion for a stranger brings chaos into their well-manicured existence.

Philippe Claudel, both a published author and director, is the skilful creator of understated, subtle dramas dealing with heavy emotional turmoil hiding under the surface. In Before the Winter Chill, a domestic, tranquil setting gives way to a piercing exploration of guilt and obsession.