Ozon pays tribute to one of Europe's greatest auteurs. Fassbinder's play, which he wrote aged 19 but never let be performed, tells of the blooming romance between businessman Leopold and naïve, considerably younger Franz.

Cracks appear in the harmonious façade, and the two spy on and manipulate each other. The tension mounts further when the two ex-girlfriends appear on the scene.

Ozon's feature debut, Sitcom, already displayed a penchant for grotesque role-playing and ironic unmasking during conflicts in closed quarters. His latest chamber drama continues in this psychologically complex vein.