Schlöndorff returned to theatrical films with the Hollywood science fiction film '' The Handmaid 's Tale '' in 1990 . The film 's story takes place in a dystopian near future where most women are sterile due to pollution . Kate ( Natasha Richardson ) is arrested after attempting to flee to Canada and forced to become a " Handmaid " . Handmaids are fertile women who are enslaved by the state and put in the households of wealthy men - who have " ceremonial " sex with them in the hope of conceiving a child . She becomes the Handmaid of the Commander ( Robert Duvall ) , Fred , who is married to Serena Joy ( Faye Dunaway ) . To save herself from execution , Kate - renamed " Offred , " since she now is attached to Fred 's household - allows the Commander 's driver ( Aidan Quinn ) to impregnate her and falls in love with him . The film was in competition at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival
40th Berlin International Film Festival
40th Berlin International Film Festival
Volker Schlöndorff