Paulina 1880

Set in 19th-century Italy, "Paulina 1880" delves into the intense inner world of Paulina, a woman of unparalleled beauty from Milan. She enters a passionate, illicit affair with the married Count Michele Cantarini, a love that becomes the very core of her existence. However, this consuming passion is tragically entangled with her profound sense of sin and impurity, heavily influenced by the strict moral codes of her family, society, and her deep-seated religious faith. As the narrative unfolds, Paulina's psychological torment intensifies, exacerbated by pivotal events: the death of her father and, later, the unexpected demise of Count Cantarini's wife. Far from bringing liberation, these events plunge Paulina into a deeper abyss of guilt and existential crisis. Jouve masterfully portrays her struggle, where neither the intensity of her love nor her unwavering faith can rescue her from the devastating consequences of her choices, crafting a searing exploration of love, sin, and redemption.