In the 1950s, small-town office clerk Rachel and wealthy Philippe have a brief passionate relationship resulting in the birth of their daughter. For 50 years, the beautiful bond between mother and daughter is overshadowed by both women’s yearning for Philippe, who is both absent and abusive.

This ostensibly simple drama about a mother’s attempts to provide for her daughter in spite of an absent father gradually becomes a more complex, movingly poignant exploration of manipulation and the abuse of power. Virginie Efira and Jehnny Beth deliver particularly heartbreaking performances.