french canadian film base on a true story of a senseless kill by two drunken fisherman in the middle of the 19th century . setting be the french island of saint pierre off the coast of newfoundland . juliette binoche be superb a madame la capitaine portray the compassionate wife of the military commander ( daniel auteuil ) on the island . he be also in charge of the prison where the convict killer and play by emir kusturica and await his death sentence . he must wait because the town have no guillotine and must get one from martinque . here where binoche carry the show and demonstrate her significant capability . an excellent story with superior performance that keep viewer interest to the very end . it be very well worth watch even if i couldn not speak french .