Watch Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost is a French drama film from 2012 directed by Ursula Meier. It stars Pauline Etienne as 18-year-old Camille who lives with her parents and younger sister in a remote house in the French countryside. Camille is a happy and carefree young woman, studying hard for her university entrance exams and spending time with her boyfriend, Sullivan (played by Vincent Rottiers). However, her idyllic life is disrupted when she discovers a shocking secret about her family.

Her parents, played by Olivier Rabourdin and Florence Thomassin, have been hiding a dark truth from her: they are not her real parents, and she was in fact kidnapped from her birth parents as a baby. Shocked and confused, Camille begins to spiral out of control, questioning everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

As she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, Camille must navigate the difficult emotions of anger, betrayal, and grief. She also faces the challenge of connecting with her birth family, whom she has never met before and who have their own secrets and struggles.

Throughout the film, Meier captures the tension and emotional upheaval of Camille's journey, with stunning cinematography and a haunting musical score. The film tackles complex themes of identity, family, and the fragility of happiness, and does so with sensitivity and nuance.

The performances in the film are exceptional, particularly that of Pauline Etienne as Camille. She perfectly captures the range of emotions that her character experiences, from joyful innocence to heart-wrenching despair. Rabourdin and Thomassin also excel in their roles as Camille's conflicted and flawed parents.

Overall, Paradise Lost is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a powerful exploration of the human experience, with all its beauty and pain, and a poignant reminder of the importance of family and connection.