Indochine

The film spans the late colonial era through the 1940s and into the early 1950s, tracing love and upheaval under French rule. It follows Éliane's plantation life, wartime disruptions, and the ensuing independence movements that redraw borders and loyalties. The timeline culminates with the 1954 Geneva Conference and the partition of Vietnam.

The world is set in French Indochina during the 1930s and 1940s, centered on Éliane's rubber plantation and the social order of colonial rule. The story moves from Haiphong to the Dragon Islet (Hòn Rồng), across the Gulf of Tonkin, and finally to Saigon, capturing key locations of labor, escape, and resistance. Later the narrative shifts toward China and Switzerland as the conflict reshapes lives and destinies of the characters.

🏛️ Colonialism

The story exposes the power structures of a colonial society where wealth, race, and status shape choices. Éliane fuses social leverage with personal relationships to protect her family and interests. The plot shows how empire and exploitation intersect with intimate life, driving the characters’ decisions across decades.

❤️ Forbidden Love

Éliane’s affair with Jean-Baptiste tests boundaries of desire, duty, and social propriety within a colonial framework. Camille’s affection for the same man further complicates mother–daughter and lover–loved dynamics. The romance crosses cultural and political lines, fueling conflict and resilience.

🕊️ Freedom & Rebirth

The struggle for Vietnam’s independence, exile, and the Geneva Conference frame the characters’ journeys. Displacement, imprisonment, and shifting loyalties highlight the costs of political change. The narrative ends with a new political order while personal bonds persist in memory.