Children of the Century () is a 1999 French film based on the true tale of the tumultuous love affair between two French literary icons of the 19th century, novelist George Sand (Juliette Binoche) and poet Alfred de Musset (Benoît Magimel). Plot summary The story begins as George Sand quits her marital home and arrives in Paris with her two children. Meanwhile, the young poet and dandy Alfred de Musset is busy making a name for himself both as a womaniser and a talented poet and critic. Sand and Musset first meet at a literary dinner and quickly recognise in each other a like-minded love of literature. At first their relationship remains platonic, but soon the pair embark on a tumultuous affair that will lead them to Venice and the creation of their finest works of literature. Background and production The film was shot on location in Paris, Nohant and Venice from August to December 1998. In an interview with The Irish Times entitled "Playing with Sand", Diane Kurys revealed that she was shooting in the actual rooms Sand and Musset had occupied in the Hotel Danieli, while Juliette Binoche revealed that Sand's estate had loaned the production some of her possessions including a sapphire ring and jewel-encrusted dagger. When asked about her inspiration for the film, Kurys mentioned that Musset's account of the affair in his book La Confession d'un Enfant du Siècle was her starting point. Binoche said that her attraction to the part was due to "Sand's combination of strengths and weaknesses". Cast Juliette Binoche : George Sand Benoît Magimel : Alfred de Musset Robin Renucci : François Buloz Stefano Dionisi : Pietro Pagello Karin Viard : Marie Dorval Denis Podalydès : Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve Isabelle Carré : Aimée d'Alton Patrick Chesnais : Gustave Planche Olivier Foubert : Paul de Musset Marie-France Mignal : Madame de Musset Ludivine Sagnier : Hermine de Musset Robert Plagnol : Jules Sandeau Michel Robin : Larive Mathias Mégard : Eugène Delacroix Arnaud Giovaninetti : Alfred Tattet Pascal Ternisien : Boucoiran Victoire Thivisol : Solange Julien Léal : Maurice Jean-Claude de Goros : Capo de Feuillide Premiere Les Enfants du Siècle made its world premiere out of competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival before being released in French theatres on September 22, 1999. The film made its North American debut at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival. The film made its UK