The Beguiled 15

Set in an all-girls seminary in Virginia during the Civil War, Union soldier, John McBurney (Colin Farrell) is found wounded and taken into the care of the women living there under the headmistress, Martha Farnsworth (Nicole Kidman). Sheltered from the outside world, curiosity and fear about the soldier quickly develops into attraction, as each woman projects onto McBurney their idea of what a man should be, guided by their wants and desires. As McBurney heals, he attempts to manipulate the women and pit them against one another, with disastrous consequences…

The Beguiled is a remake of the 1971 film starring Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page, based on the 60s novel of the same name. Here, Coppola refreshingly explores female sexuality through a female perspective, giving the film a contemporary feel in comparison to the source material. Driven by dazzling performance from the cast, The Beguiled is a film bursting with stifling tension and dark Southern Gothic humour.

Sofia Coppola is the second woman to win the award for Best Director at Cannes.