Juliette Binoche stars as internationally famous actress Maria Enders, whom we meet on a trip to Zurich, Switzerland with handy and very trustworthy personal assistant and confidante, Valentine, in tow, asked to accept a major career tribute, on behalf of Wilhelm Melchior, the playwright and screenwriter who gave her a big break early on (and perhaps a bit of romance). En route, she receives word that he has died, which derails the spirit of the speech she has been preparing. Meanwhile, Maria is approached by a respected young director looking to cast her in a juicy role in the very play that brought her fame, "Maloja Snake", except this time, she's slated to play the older romantic counterpart to the young seductress she had played in the original production.