A Very Long Engagement 2004

As World War I comes to a close, a young French woman named Mathilde finds herself embarking on a courageous quest. She learns that her fiancé, Manech, is among five wounded soldiers who have been court-martialed and left stranded in the perilous no-man’s land between the French and German fronts—an area synonymous with certain death.

Reluctant to give in to despair over the potential loss of her beloved Manech, Mathilde sets off on an extraordinary journey to uncover his fate. Throughout her pursuit, she encounters various heartbreaking versions of what Manech may have experienced in those final days and hours, yet she remains undeterred. Mathilde firmly believes that if Manech were truly dead, she would instinctively feel it.

With an unwavering faith bolstered by hope and an unyieldingly cheerful spirit, she diligently follows the clues that may lead to the truth. Along the way, she continuously persuades those who might aid her while disregarding the skeptics. As she delves deeper into the reality surrounding the five unfortunate soldiers and their cruel sentence, she becomes increasingly entangled in the grim realities of war and the profound scars it leaves on the lives of those impacted.

Ultimately, Mathilde’s journey is not just for love, but also a confrontation with the harrowing consequences of conflict and a testament to the human spirit’s resilience.