Manuela's Loves

A meditative and quiet picture that examines the relationship between three European women of different generations--Valli, a 60ish survivor of Nazi concentration camps turned author; Barrault, an independent 40-year-old who works as Valli's assistant; and Grobon, a pretty 27-year-old acquaintance of Valli who becomes Barrault's lover. Barrault, the title character, is a successful theatrical costume designer who has agreed to help Valli research a new book. A respected author and lecturer, Valli is a human rights activist. Physically and emotionally scarred by Nazi experiments performed on her leg, Valli's very existence is a struggle. Her only friend is Barrault,...