The Cherry Orchard (2002)

Lyubov (Charlotte Rampling) is brought home to her Russian estate after having fled to France amidst family tragedy. Returning home in 1900 after the liberation of the serfs, nothing seems to have changed. The mansion has been impeccably kept up and the trees in the cherry orchard are in romantic bloom. The reality, however, soon sets in: The family fortune has been squandered. Lyubov holds out for a miracle to save her home, her past, and her beloved orchard. When wealthy friend Lopakhin (Owen Teale), who grew up as a servant on the property, recommends selling and developing the orchard land in order to save the property, he is met with fierce opposition from Lyubov and the family. With the mortgage date drawing nearer, Lyubov's hopes become as empty as the leafless wintry appearance of the trees in the orchard.

The emotional intensity builds to a heartbreaking climax in Michael Cacoyannis' screen adaptation of Anton Chekhov's timeless play. Cacoyannis, in his seventies, directed and wrote the script from his own translation of the Russian masterwork. He is ably assisted by a superb international cast, including Katrin Cartlidge, Alan Bates, and Michael Gough.