Renaissance and Enlightenment

In 1666 in the Massachusetts Bay colony, Puritans and the Algonquian have an uneasy truce. Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) arrives from England, seeking independence. Awaiting her husband, she establishes independence, fixing up a house, befriending Quakers and other outsiders. Passion draws her to the young pastor, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale (Gary Oldman). He feels the same; when they learn her husband has probably died at the hands of Indians, they consummate their love. A child is born, and on the day Hester is publicly humiliated and made to wear a scarlet letter, her husband appears after a year with Indians. Calling himself Chillingworth (Robert Duvall), he seeks revenge, searching out Hester's lover and stirring fears of witchcraft. Will his murderous plot succeed?

Set in Delft, Holland during the 17th century, the film tells the story of Griet, a young girl who works as a maid for the painter Johannes Vermeer, with whom she begins a friendship. Vermeer notices Griet's interest in painting and introduces her to that world, although secretly, so as not to arouse jealousy in his wife Catharina. Van Ruijven, a wealthy patron, desires Griet and is successful in getting Vermeer assigned to paint her. A visually stunning film, with a detailed setting and a flawless Scarlett Johansson.

Set in France during the 18th century, the story centers on the Marquis de Sade, a resident of the Charenton asylum. There, together with his friend Abbé Coulmier, they share their attention towards Madeleine, the laundress of the place. The Marquis is assisted by a doctor who comes to cure his madness, but his condition worsens. Directed by Philip Kaufman, this biographical drama is entertaining and absorbing, with an incredible performance by Oscar-nominated Geoffrey Rush. Don't miss it!

In 1660, with the return of Charles II to the English throne, theater, the visual arts, science and sexual promiscuity flourish. Thirteen years later, in the midst of political and economical problems, Charles II orders the return of his friend John Wilmot, aka the second Earl of Rochester, from exile back to London. John is a morally-corrupt drunkard and a debauched, cynical poet. When the King asks John to prepare a play for the French ambassador so as to please him, John meets the aspiring actress Elizabeth Barry in the playhouse and decides to make her into a great star. He falls in love with her and she becomes his mistress. During the presentation to the King and the French ambassador, John falls into disgrace with the court. When he is thirty-three years old and dying of syphilis and alcoholism, he converts to being a religious man.

Aging King George III of England (Sir Nigel Hawthorne) is exhibiting signs of madness, a problem little understood in 1788. As the monarch alternates between bouts of confusion and near-violent outbursts of temper, his hapless doctors attempt the ineffectual cures of the day. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte (Dame Helen Mirren) and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger (Julian Wadham) attempt to prevent the King's political enemies, led by the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett), from usurping the throne.

Set in New York during the 19th century, this Martin Scorsese film follows a high society lawyer, Newland Archer, and his bond with his fiancée May Welland. When May's cousin, the cosmopolitan Countess Ellen Olenska, makes her appearance, she gradually falls in love with Newland and challenges his conservative spirit. The film features stunning performances by Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder. A must-see film from the director, and one to savour thanks to its impressive cinematic display.

Director Stephen Frears brings to the screen the famous epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, in this film set in 18th century France, with two manipulative aristocrats at the center of the story: the Marquise de Merteuil and the Viscount de Valmont. The two engage in a perverse game of seduction and betrayal, targeting Madame de Tourvel and the innocent Cécile de Volanges, unleashing hurtful effects that may, however, backfire on them. Its exquisite period reconstruction, extraordinary performances and award-winning adapted screenplay have made it a much-loved classic among period dramas.

Based on the novel "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by William Makepeace Thackeray and set during the Seven Years' War, the film narrates the rise and fall of a romantic but ambitious young man who seeks a place among the social elite of the 18th century. In this adaptation, Stanley Kubrick puts his mastery in function of the technical deployment to make each shot a picture of the time, using resources such as candlelight in the night scenes and a production design of extreme meticulousness for greater realism.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a talented, brilliant, and flamboyant musician, Antonio Salieri is a mediocre composer who envies, and detests him, to the point of conspiring against him and sabotaging his career. You will see an unbridled battle of egos, reproaches, envy and ambition, wrapped up in the greatest musical talent in history.

In 18th-century, France, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, has an extraordinary sense of smell and an obsession with capturing the essence of beauty through scents. Driven by it, he starts to kill beautiful women to capture their essence to preserve and possess "the beauty" through perfume. It’s a complex story with ambiguous morality, but also dark and poetic.

This historical drama set in the 17th century is based on Arthur Miller's play, conceived as an allegory of the McCarthyism that popularised the term "witch hunt". In Salem, Massachusetts, lives farmer John Proctor who is accused of witchcraft along with his wife Elizabeth, by a group of youths. This film is a must-see especially for the way it exposes the fear and hypocrisy of a society dominated by religious leaders and figures consumed by paranoia and human misery.

In the opulent world of 18th century England, a determined young girl named Abigail arrives at the royal court looking for a position. Her growing proximity to the fragile Queen Anne ignites a fierce power struggle with Sarah, the Queen's confidante. With the unique directorial vision of Yorgos Lanthimos,and an award-winning ensemble led by Olivia Colman, this critically acclaimed film weaves a tale of political intrigue, betrayal, and twisted alliances that immerses viewers in an extraordinary cinematic journey.

This film set in 18th century England is based on the story of Georgiana Spencer and her arranged marriage to the Duke of Devonshire. Georgiana, a strong personality with a passion for politics, struggles to cope with public scrutiny despite living through a loveless marriage marked by the duke's infidelities. A gripping story, visually stunning, with a great performance by Keira Knightley and a special mention to her wardrobe that evolves along with the drama.

William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is a known but struggling poet, playwright, and actor, who not only has sold his next play to both Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush) and Richard Burbage (Martin Clunes), but now faces a far more difficult problem: he is bereft of ideas and has yet to begin writing. He is in search of his muse, the woman who will inspire him but all attempts fail him until he meets the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow). She loves the theatre and would like nothing more than to take to the stage, but is forbidden from doing so as only men can be actors. She is also a great admirer of Shakespeare's works. Dressing as a man, and going by the name of "Thomas Kent", she auditions and is ideal for a part in his next play. Shakespeare soon sees through her disguise and they begin a love affair, one they know cannot end happily for them as he is already married and she has been promised to the dour Lord Wessex (Colin Firth). As the company rehearses his new play, William and Viola's love is transferred to the written page leading to the masterpiece that is Romeo and Juliet.

Directed by Justin Chadwick, the film explores the lives of 16th-century aristocrats Mary and Anne Boleyn, with a fictionalized account of their relationships with King Henry VIII. The captivating performances and lush period setting make it a compelling watch for fans of historical dramas and intriguing storytelling.