The many ways in which men are fascinated, compelled, and confused by
their attraction to women are explored in this four part drama. As a
filmmaker (
John Malkovich) tries to sort out his plans for his next film, he considers several stories about women and the men who love them. Silvano (
Kim Rossi Stuart) meets Carmen (
Ines Sastre)
and immediately asks her for a date, but despite his attraction, he
can't follow through on his feelings for her. The director spies a woman
on the streets (
Sophie Marceau)
and follows her obsessively, but when he finally meets her, he's
disappointed, despite their mutual physical attraction. Roberto (
Peter Weller) and his wife Patricia (
Fanny Ardant) have to deal with their anger about each other's infidelities, as well as their problems with their lovers, Olga (
Chiara Caselli) and Carlo (
Jean Reno). And Niccolo (
Vincent Perez) falls in love at first sight with a young woman (
Irene Jacob), unaware that she is studying to become a nun.
Par-Dela Les Nuages was
Michelangelo Antonioni's first film after a massive stroke derailed his directorial career in 1985;
Wim Wenders served as his collaborator on the project.
