Pietro Marcello — one of contemporary cinema’s most versatile talents — follows up his dramatic breakthrough and Sedona Film Festival selection “Martin Eden” with this enchanting period fable.
Shortly after World War I, veteran Raphaël (Raphaël Thiery) returns home from the frontlines a widower and father to an infant daughter. Raised in rural Normandy, the child Juliette (Juliette Jouan) grows into a headstrong young woman who dreams of greater possibilities. She seeks refuge in the nearby woods, where she meets a witch who promises scarlet sails will one day take her away from her village.
Reckoning with her future and swept away by a rakish young pilot (Louis Garrel) who literally falls from the sky, Juliette never stops believing in the witch’s prophecy.
Tracing Juliette’s journey throughout the 20 years of great invention between the world wars, “Scarlet” delicately weaves together music and fantasy, history and folklore, realist drama and ethereal romance, to craft a timeless story of a young woman’s emancipation.
"Expansive, visually adventurous. Filled with lyrical beauty … moments of magic and unexpected hope." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
“Marcello is the real thing. ‘Scarlet’ — his magical follow up to the breakthrough ‘Martin Eden’ — is a fable infused with music, history and longing that lingers in your mind long after.’’ — John Turturro
“Transfixing. Its pleasures are as diverse and unexpected as a stroll through uncharted lands.” — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times