Directed and written by Micha Wald, The Isle of the Young Lady is a French historical drama featuring performances by Salomé Dewaels, Louis Peres, and Candice Bouchet, with a cameo by Alexandra Lamy. Produced by Stenola Productions and KG Productions and distributed by The Jokers Films, the film is set to hit theaters on March 25, 2026. This is the third feature from Belgian filmmaker Micha Wald, following Horse Thief and The Crazy Adventures of Simon Konianski. The story draws inspiration from an obscure episode of the early French expeditions to the New World.
In 1542, Marguerite de la Rocque, a member of the minor nobility from Périgord, sets sail for Canada alongside her uncle, Jean-François de La Rocque de Roberval, tasked by King François I with establishing a colony. During the voyage, she encounters Thomas d’Artois, a crew member. An improbable relationship develops, culminating in pregnancy. When her condition is discovered, a stark decision is made: Marguerite is left stranded on an island off the coast of Newfoundland, accompanied only by Thomas and her servant Damienne.
Isolated in a barren, hostile landscape, the three survivors face not only the brutal cold, hunger, and exhaustion but also mounting internal tensions. The confined setting intensifies conflicts and exposes underlying power struggles. Survival becomes a battle both physically and morally, as Marguerite strives to keep her wits about her and safeguard her unborn child amid a world where everything she relied on is slipping away.
The film draws on a wealth of historical sources, including Marguerite of Navarre’s accounts in The Heptameron, writings by François de Belleforest, and André Thevet’s Cosmographie Universelle, in which Thevet claims to have met Marguerite herself. According to the press overview, the screenplay went through several revisions before focusing on the episode of her abandonment, rather than attempting a full biopic of her entire life. Long marginalized, Marguerite de la Rocque reportedly survived nearly three years stranded on an island that storytellers dubbed “the Island of Devils,” before being rescued and returning to France.
The filming mainly took place on the island of Ouessant in Brittany, selected for its rugged, stark landscape that closely matches historical descriptions. Micha Wald champions a minimalist visual style, emphasizing natural light and vintage lenses to create a gritty, timeless texture. The film aligns with the survival genre, but focuses more on intimate confrontations between characters rather than grand, spectacular naturalist scenes—leaning more towards a claustrophobic chamber drama than an epic adventure.
Set in the 16th century and focused on power dynamics, the story delves into the workings of patriarchy, faith, and resilience. The tone remains restrained, emphasizing sensory and psychological experiences. Fans of streamlined historical dramas and intimate survival stories will find this film to be a compelling blend of period-piece craftsmanship and contemporary endurance narratives.
The Island of the Young Girl
Film | 2026
Release date in theaters: March 25, 2026
Drama, Historical | Running time: 1h41
Directed by Micha Wald | Starring Salomé Dewaels, Louis Peres, Candice Bouchet, Alexandra Lamy
Original title: L’île de la demoiselle
Country: France
With his third feature film, Micha Wald sheds light on a female character who has long been sidelined in the grand narratives of exploration. Blending historical reconstruction with a meditation on survival in hostile environments, The Girl’s Island offers a focused glimpse into a 16th-century episode where personal and political realms intertwine.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the March movie releases, discover the must-see films happening now, and explore our curated list of historical films of the year.
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