La vida y nada más

This documentary is a journey through the history of French cinema, from the very particular point of view of the documentary’s creator. Bertrand Tavernier presents a selection of filmmakers who have either influenced his films, or with whom he has worked over the many decades of his career as a director: a collection of artists that are an essential part of French cinematography.

France 1562. The wars between the Catholics and the Protestants wreak havoc against a backdrop of intrigue and shifting alliances. Marie de Mézières, a young beautiful aristocrat, and Henri de Guise, one of the most daring heroes in the kingdom, have fallen in love. But Marie’s father offers her daughter’s hand in matrimony to the Prince of Montpensier. Henri de Guise and the Duke of Anjou— heir to the throne—stop by the Montpensier’s chateau on their way back from the battlefield. Henri and Marie realize they are more in love than ever. . .

In occupied France, German-run Continental Films calls the shots in the movie business. Assistant director and Resistance activist Jean Devaivre works for Continental, where he can get "in between the wolf's teeth and avoid being chewed up." Fast-living screenwriter Jean Aurenche uses every possible argument to avoid working for the enemy. For both, wartime is a battle for survival