Silk

Francois Girard's 19th-century romantic drama stars Michael Pitt as Hervé Joncour, a silkworm merchant who travels to Japan to procure uncontaminated silkworm eggs, which will allow Europe to control its own trade. He leaves behind his wife Hélène but once in Japan, falls for the mistress of his local contact in the silk industry. So taken is Hervé with her that, despite the success of his mission and his love for Hélène, he returns twice more, unable to give up either woman in his life, until fate intervenes.