AllMovie

Swiss director Markus Imhoof made this Swiss-German-French drama in which a love story, elaborate period details of the year 1912, and an ocean liner all combine to bring Titanic to mind. However, this storyline of switched identities steers a different course. A couple on their honeymoon travel the world of 1912 on a luxury liner. After Juliette (Elodie Bouchez) accuses Philipp (Bruno Todeschini) of marrying her for her father's fortune, she meets shy Esther (Sylvie Testud), due to marry missionary Gustav (Laurent Grevill), although she has yet to meet him. The two women agree to swap both clothing and identities. The adventurous Juliette, dressed simply, then travels to India, where widower Gustav disapproves of her free and open attitudes. Even so, the two develop a passionate attraction, marry, and are deeply involved in an intimate, sexual relationship when Philipp and Esther appear on the scene, triggering a tragic turn of events. Shown at the 1998 Gothenburg Film Festival.