The Guardians

Set in rural France during the First World War, The Guardians follows the women of the Paridier farm as they keep the land working while the men are away at the front. Hortense, who runs the household with tireless energy, brings in Francine, a young orphan placed with her by the local mayor, after her own daughter Solange proves unwilling to take on the heavier labour. The newcomer settles into the rhythm of the farm and grows close to Hortense, but the arrangement strains the family's balance, and the arrival of American troops and a soldier home on leave unsettles it further.

Xavier Beauvois directed and co-wrote the film with Marie-Julie Maille and Frédérique Moreau. It is the fourth of the five features he has made, arriving between Of Gods and Men and Drift Away. Nathalie Baye leads as Hortense, with Laura Smet as Solange, Iris Bry as Francine and Cyril Descours as Georges. The large cast and period setting reflect a production backed by companies including Orange Studio, Pathé and France 3 Cinéma.

On IMDb the film holds 6.7 out of 10 from around 2,800 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6.1 from roughly 120. A critics' rating of 7.5 from 62 reviews places it above both audience scores.