The Guardians, also known as Les Gardiennes in French, is a 2017 film directed by Xavier Beauvois and based on the 1924 novel of the same name by Ernest Pérochon. The film is set during World War I in a small village in France and focuses on the lives of the women left behind to tend to the farms and families while their husbands and sons are fighting in the war.
The main characters are the women of the Paridier farm: Hortense (Nathalie Baye), the matriarch of the family; her daughter Solange (Laura Smet); and her daughter-in-law Francine (Iris Bry), who joins the family to help with the farm work. As the war drags on and the men remain away, the women face the challenges of running the farm alone and dealing with the stresses and strains of a society in turmoil.
However, their world is turned upside down with the arrival of American soldiers, who are sent to help France in the war. One of the soldiers, Georges (Cyril Descours), forms a relationship with Francine, which complicates matters for the Paridier family. Meanwhile, the women struggle to keep the farm going, facing financial troubles, unexpected pregnancies, and the threat of German attacks.
The Guardians is a beautifully shot film that portrays the daily grind of rural life during wartime with sensitivity and authenticity. The performances of the cast are excellent, particularly Nathalie Baye as the resilient Hortense and Iris Bry as the determined and independent Francine. The film is a testament to the strength and perseverance of women in the face of adversity, and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during times of war.
