Rust and Bone (French: De rouille et d'os) is a 2012 French-Belgian romantic drama film directed by Jacques Audiard. The film tells the story of Ali (played by Matthias Schoenaerts), a young man who is struggling to provide for himself and his five-year-old son, Sam. Ali moves to Antibes to live with his sister Anna (played by Corinne Masiero) and her husband, to start a new life.
One night, Ali meets Stephanie (played by Marion Cotillard), who works as a killer whale trainer at a local water park. Stephanie is attracted to Ali's rough masculinity, and they start a casual sexual relationship. However, after Stephanie suffers a tragic accident during a show, losing both of her legs, their relationship takes on a deeper meaning.
The film explores the individual struggles of Ali and Stephanie as they both cope with their respective traumas. Stephanie struggles to come to terms with her newfound disability and her lost dreams while Ali tries to keep his head above water. However, as they grow closer to each other, they begin to find strength in each other.
As the film progresses, Ali becomes more involved in Stephanie's life and helps her regain control of her body and sense of self. They develop a deep emotional bond and start to lean on each other as they navigate the challenges of their lives.
The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike, with many praising the performances of Cotillard and Schoenaerts. Rust and Bone was nominated for numerous awards, including the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and Best International Film at the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards.