Indochine (1992)

71% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(6,500 ratings)

Regis Wargnier's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the… More Regis Wargnier's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the relationship of the beautiful and imperious Eliane (Catherine Deneuve), a French rubber-plantation owner, and Camille (Linh Dan Pham), her adopted Indochinese daughter. The mother and daughter are very close until a diffident naval officer, Jean-Baptiste (Vincent Perez) enters their lives. Eliane is in love with him, but Jean-Baptiste and Camille become attracted to each other and fall in love. Thinking that she is doing Camille a favor, Eliane arranges to have Jean-Baptiste transferred to the far-away Tonkin Islands. But Camille flees the plantation to go to the man she loves. As she travels the country, she gains a greater knowledge and respect for the people of her homeland. When the government tears her from Jean-Baptiste and their infant child and arrests her for crimes against the state, she becomes politicized and becomes a supporter of the communists in the country's civil war. As the country rocks in turmoil, Eliane becomes a personification of France, coolly walking amid her peasant workers, neither bowed nor afraid, grimly looking westward. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Régis Wargnier
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Mar 21, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A guilty pleasure, this French melodrama could have been called "Saigon, mon amour," a grand, sweeping and sprawling saga about a strong plantation owner (the beautiful Catherine Deneuve)--not unlike Vivien Leigh of Gone With the Wind.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
The tendency of Oscar voters toward visual bombast and style-over-substance filmmaking in the English-language categories also applies in the international competition.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

A movie that had its moments. The film itself seems to suffer from a lack of momentum; it strives to be an epic, but ends up being just a decent family drama. Beautfiul to look at, nonetheless. Good actors. Way long....
Jan Marc M

Indochine exposes a journey to freedom that narrates the clash of cultural and political paradigms set colonial French Indochina. A film, which in itself a revolution, a stand on issues of colonialism and resistance, culture and politics, and history and tradition made relevant for… More
Indochine exposes a journey to freedom that narrates the clash of cultural and political paradigms set colonial French Indochina. A film, which in itself a revolution, a stand on issues of colonialism and resistance, culture and politics, and history and tradition made relevant for the consumption of general viewership by infusing human interest schemes. Meaningful. Inspiring. A national treasure.
Lanning :

Another pointed reminder why the French -- and the US after them -- were destined not to succeed in Vietnam. It's all about that maniacal empire building impulse, and all those "superior" countries that have tried to do it over the years in different countries all over… More
Another pointed reminder why the French -- and the US after them -- were destined not to succeed in Vietnam. It's all about that maniacal empire building impulse, and all those "superior" countries that have tried to do it over the years in different countries all over the globe. <p>It's a cliché: History really does repeat itself -- over and over again. Clichés often become clichés because they are true. History sadly repeats itself, but no one ever seems to learn the appropriate lessons when it comes to activities like trying to take over other countries and subjugating other people.
Robert C

Lush locations, beautifully shot, romance, deceit and "la Deneuve". What more can you ask for?
Mason W

This has to be one of my favorite foreign film's. Indochine has such beautiful locations in Asia along the actors like Catherine Deneuve. Catherine is radiant in this film as an older wealthy woman whom has an affair with a younger man...check it out!
Tom E

I disagree that this is like watching paint dry -- Accurate or not, it covers a significant period in VietNam's history and after living thru the War, I loved this movie as a background to our conflict, and Catherine Deneuve IS a goddess in this movie!
Daisy M

It has been now seventeen years after Indochine film release,but I was pleased on every level.The location was beautiful, and so was the cinematography, acting, casting, plot,dialogue all were in beautiful harmony. The director did not hide anything from showing characters who… More
It has been now seventeen years after Indochine film release,but I was pleased on every level.The location was beautiful, and so was the cinematography, acting, casting, plot,dialogue all were in beautiful harmony. The director did not hide anything from showing characters who experience anger, insult, jealousy, and pain. It was a romantic film in a different setting than we are used to watch, but the movie has a lot more to offer than only being romantic. It shows the monstrous behavior of the French towards the local people,the Rubber Industry and the rise of Communism. It was the French that got involved in war with Vietnam at first and later to be continued by the Americans in 1969. So it was a lesson in history wrapped in a paper of drama romance with marvelous acting and landscapes. I was touched and amazed by this film and I recommend to all who has great taste for good films.