one of the performances put on by Sade for and with the inmates of Charenton.

What is more, it is Royer-Collard who provides the final link with contemporary reality, forging a bond between 18th-century Charenton and the 21st-century White House. “We spoke of his character in terms of being a Kenneth Starr-like man who believes he’s doing a wonderful thing by ridding society of Sade’s writing: a man who pursues virtue unaware of his own lack of it,” explains Kaufman. “Michael took the idea that Royer-Collard feels good about himself and his actions and played that to the hilt. His Royer-Collard is truly, as Sade says in the script, a man after Sade’s own heart. I think the Marquis would have loved this depiction of hypocrisy perfected.”

Quills Fox Searchlight Pictures presents an Industry Entertainment/ Walrus & Associates Ltd production, in association with Hollywood Partners

Prod: Julia Chasman, Nick Wechsler, Peter Kaufman; Exec prod: Des McAnuff, Sandra Schulberg, Rudulf Wiesmeier; Co-prod: Mark Huffam; Dir: Philip Kaufman; Scr: Doug Wright, based on his play; Ph: Rogier Stoffers; Prod des: Martin Childs; Cost des: Jacqueline West; Ed: Peter Boyle; Mus: Stephen Warbeck. With Geoffrey Rush (Marquis de Sade), Kate Winslet (Madeleine), Joaquin Phoenix (abbé Coulmier), Michael Caine (Dr Royer-Collard), Billie Whitelaw (Madame LeClerc), Patrick Malahide (Delbène), Amelia Warner (Simone), Jane Menelaus (Renée Pelagie), Stephen Moyer (Prouix), Tony Pritchard (Valcour), Michael Jenn (Cléante), Danny Babington (Pitou), George Yiasoumi (Dauphin), Stephen Marcus (Bouchon). International distribution: 20th Century Fox.