Tristana

TRISTANA is based on the novel by Benito Pérez Galdós, Spain's leading novelist and playwright of the 19th century, but the daring Buñuel makes the story his own. After the death of her mother, beautiful young Tristana (Oscar nominee Catherine Deneuve, Belle de Jour, Repulsion, in one of her favorite roles) goes to live with Don Lope Garrido (Fernando Rey, That Obscure Object of Desire, The French Connection). Her new guardian, an impoverished, freethinking nobleman, who may have also been an old flame of Tristana's mother, but whatever paternal feelings he may have for the poor girl are no match for his lust for her. He quickly makes her his lover, but as she grows older, Tristana starts finding her own voice and demands to study music, art and other subjects with which she wishes to become independent.

She falls in love with a young artist, Horacio (Franco Nero, Django Unchained, the original Django), and leaves Don Lope to live with him. But Tristana falls seriously ill and returns to Don Lope, who is now rich from an inheritance. Their strange relationship now takes a drastic turn as the bitter Tristana begins to take revenge on the aging, weakened man who stole her innocence.