As 19th-century libertine Ryno de Marigny (Fu'ad Aït Aattou) prepared to wed the virginal aristocrat Hermangarde (Roxane Mesquida), he was warned to break off his 10-year liaison with the impetuous courtesan La Vellini (Asia Argento). The flashbacks to their torrid amour fou, and the repercussions for their future, are limned in Catherine Breillat's lavish and sensual take on the Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly novel. Michael Lonsdale, Anne Parillaud, Yolande Moreau co-star. 104 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: French; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes. In French with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR