A historical drama exploring love, politics, and betrayal in pre-WWII Paris
Story Structure — 3 Plot Phases
Mourning and Discovery
Louise mourns her lover's death and discovers Alfred Katz's journal, beginning her investigation into his mysterious disappearance.
Key Events
Soviet Empire Collapse — Louise mourns her lover's death Characters: LouiseLocation: Present Day
Journal Discovery — Finds Katz's journal from 1938 Characters: LouiseLocation: Louise's Home
Research Begins — Professor helps investigate Katz's story Characters: Louise, History ProfessorLocation: University
Political Romance
In 1938 Paris, Alfred Katz, a Trotskyite poet, meets Mila at a surrealist party, unaware of her relationship with Stalinist Félix.
Key Events
Research Begins — Professor helps investigate Katz's story Characters: Louise, History ProfessorLocation: University
1938 Paris Flashback — Katz's life in 1938 revealed Characters: Alfred KatzLocation: Pre-WWII Paris
Breton's Party — Katz meets Mila at Breton's gathering Characters: Alfred Katz, Mila, Andre BretonLocation: Surrealist Party
Political Rivalry — Katz discovers Mila's relationship with Stalinist Félix Characters: Alfred Katz, Mila, FélixLocation: Paris Cafes
Marriage — Mila marries Katz, abandoning politics Characters: Alfred Katz, MilaLocation: City Hall
Marriage and Betrayal
Mila marries Katz but eventually betrays him to political enemies, leading to his disappearance during the turbulent pre-WWII period.
Key Events
Marriage — Mila marries Katz, abandoning politics Characters: Alfred Katz, MilaLocation: City Hall
Political Pursuit — Political enemies catch up with Katz Characters: Félix, Félix / LourcetLocation: Paris Streets
Betrayal — Mila betrays Katz to political enemies Characters: Mila, Alfred KatzLocation: Their Home
Disappearance — Katz disappears in 1938 Characters: Alfred KatzLocation: Unknown
Truth Revealed — Louise completes understanding of Katz's fate Characters: Louise, History ProfessorLocation: University
Story Breakdown
Present Day Mystery — Louise investigates Katz's disappearance
Soviet Collapse — 1990s setting, Louise mourning
Journal Discovery — Finds Katz's 1938 journal
Academic Investigation — Works with history professor
1938 Paris Flashback — Katz's life before disappearance
Political Identity — Trotskyite poet and radical
Surrealist Circle — Meets Breton and artistic milieu
Romantic Entanglement — Meets Mila, discovers her relationship with Félix
Marriage — Mila marries Katz, abandons politics
Political Conflict — Ideological struggles and betrayal
Trotskyite vs Stalinist — Katz and Félix's political opposition
Personal Betrayal — Mila's betrayal of Katz
Disappearance — Katz vanishes in 1938
Sex, avant-garde art, and Communist ideology are at the heart of this compelling historical drama. The film opens just as the Soviet Empire crumbles in 1989. As Louise mourns the death of her lover, she discovers the journal of Alfred Katz, an earnest Jewish radical and erstwhile poet who disappeared in 1938. With the aid of a history professor, Louise unravels what happened to Katz. In the feverish climate of pre-WWII Paris, Katz reveals himself as both a fervent Trotskyite and an unabashed romantic. At a party thrown by the noted surrealist Andre Breton, he meets Mila, a beautiful part-time model, part-time whore. As soon as he falls for her, he learns of her other lover Felix, a fervent Stalinist. Bored with politics, Mila eventually marries Katz. Soon betrayal and politics catch up with the poet.
