From My Night at Maud’s (SFIFF 1969) to Claire’s Knee, from Chloe in the Afternoon (SFIFF 1972) to A Tale of Springtime (SFIFF 1992), Eric Rohmer has made a career out of treating modern romance like the greatest classical love stories. Witness his tellingly named Six Moral Tales or Comedies and Proverbs series, their regal titles recalling centuries-old tales far more than their characters’ 20th century moments. So it is entirely appropriate for this grand master, now 87, to draw inspiration from the classic 17th century French text (set in fifth century Gaul) The Romance of Astrea and Celadon for his latest film. Gorgeous and sun-kissed, the young shepherd Celadon and the beautiful Astrea are ill-fated lovers, their romance torn asunder by a sudden misunderstanding. An attempt at suicide lands Celadon in the clutches of the sensual Galathea and her handmaidens but a helpful passerby soon gives our hero an idea to reenter Astrea’s life and heart. Filled with nymphs, druids and angels, the film is literally atwitter with the sounds of medieval times—lutes, crickets and waterfalls dominate—and aflutter with its more sensual sights, including countless breezes caressing the billowing shirts of our hero, heroine and sundry nubile lasses. Like all things old becoming new again, this ancient tale embodies Rohmer’s very contemporary themes, presenting its mélange of romantic befuddlement, entanglement and desire as effortlessly and entertainingly as any modern romance. Deliciously anachronistic, this sweet-natured idyll is the great director’s farewell to a lifetime of star-crossed, verbose and ever-so-lovely lovers.—Jason Sanders

Written by Eric Rohmer. Photographed by Diane Baratier. With Andy Gillet, Stéphanie Crayencour, Cécile Cassel, Mathilde Mosnier. (109 min, Koch Lorber Films)