Albert Serra directs this historical drama set in 1774, just before the French Revolution. Expelled from the King's court, libertines Madame de Dumeval (Theodora Marcade), the Duke of Tesis (Marc Susini) and the Duke of Wand (Baptiste Pinteaux) seek assistance from the freethinking German Duke of Walchen (Helmut Berger) as they attempt to bring their ways and philosophies to Germany.