La veuve de Saint-Pierre

In 1850, on the isolated French island of Saint-Pierre, a murder shocks the natives, leading to the arrest and execution of two fishermen, Jean, a Captain, and Néel, a convict who is sentenced to death by the guillotine. However, Néel, played by Emir Kusturica, is kept in the army barracks under the command of the Captain, played by Daniel Auteuil, and the Captain's wife, Madame La, played by Juliette Binoche, takes an interest in Néel's redemption. As the authorities try to carry out Néel's execution, the Captain's disobedience to orders leads to a dramatic confrontation.