Rosalie, the historical drama directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto, is broadcast on Arte on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 9:00 PM. It opened in theaters on April 10, 2024 after a Cannes screening in the Cannes Film Festival, in the Un Certain Regard section, and stars Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Benoît Magimel, Benjamin Biolay and Juliette Armanet.
Rosalie
Film | 2024
Airing on Arte: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Historical drama | Runtime: 1h50
Directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto | Starring Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Benoît Magimel, Benjamin Biolay, Guillaume Gouix, Juliette Armanet
Country of origin: France
Set in 1870s France, Rosalie follows a young woman whose face and body have been covered in hair since birth. To avoid being shunned, she has long hidden this difference by shaving. Her marriage to Abel, a debt-ridden café owner who marries for a dowry without knowing her secret, upends this fragile balance.
Rosalie gradually refuses to stay unseen. By growing a beard, she asserts the right to be seen as a woman—not as a curiosity. The film thus questions the treatment of bodies that don’t fit, society’s gaze, and the possibility of love beyond imposed norms.
The appeal of this broadcast lies in the film's distinctive place within contemporary French cinema: a period drama centered on a marginalized woman, balancing intimate storytelling, social observation, and historical reconstruction. The character of Rosalie is loosely inspired by Clémentine Delait, known as the bearded woman at the turn of the twentieth century.
The film will appeal to viewers drawn to historical dramas centered on a singular figure and a struggle for self-acceptance. It’s less suited for those looking for a fast-paced action narrative or a period piece that foregrounds the major historical events.
The screenplay for Rosalie was co-authored by Sandrine Le Coustumer and Stéphanie Di Giusto, with contributions from Jacques Fieschi. The film's cast also includes Guillaume Gouix, Anna Biolay, Benjamin Biolay, and Juliette Armanet.
The official trailer for Rosalie offers a glimpse into the film’s visual universe, blending rural landscapes, intimate tension, and a gaze cast on the heroine’s body.
Our take on Rosalie:
At the heart of this historical drama is the young Rosalie, portrayed with magnetic intensity by Nadia Tereszkiewicz, complemented by Benoît Magimel’s equally nuanced performance. Stéphanie Di Gusto follows Rosalie’s search for love and acceptance in 1870s rural France, a deeply emotional journey animated by a captivating symphonic score.
The film excels at transporting viewers into its period, thanks to a carefully crafted aesthetic that captures both the rugged beauty of nature and the complexity of the human condition. The score, with its emotive violin work, guides our feelings through Rosalie’s joys and sorrows with piercing precision.
The story of Rosalie centers on the universal longing to be loved as one truly is. The tense, evolving relationship between Rosalie and her husband—between love, shame, and acceptance—acts as the narrative thread, illustrating the hurdles to authenticity in a prejudiced world. Subtle treatments of wartime stigma and existential loneliness for the various characters add further depth.
Despite its many strengths, the storytelling occasionally loses momentum, bogged down by the central conflict over Rosalie’s beard. This artistic choice, while rich in symbolism, struggles to sustain engagement throughout the film. Nevertheless, themes of fertility, nontraditional love, and the ambivalent performance by Benjamin Biolay inject intriguing nuance and partly offset these slow patches.
Rosalie speaks to viewers who relish weighty historical dramas with visual and emotional richness. Fans of intricate love stories and self-acceptance narratives will find much to chew on. Those seeking a brisk, relentlessly dynamic plot may be less enthusiastically swept along.
Even if the tale sometimes feels circular, Rosalie stands out for its commanding character work, its striking aesthetics, and its poignant exploration of love and acceptance.
To go further, also check out our picks of films, series, and programs to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across every platform, and today’s selection: What to watch today in streaming.
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