Marguerite de la Rocque: Abandoned Aristocrat & 16th Century Survival
A film based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a 17-year-old French noblewoman abandoned in 16th-century Canada, premiered in France on March 25, 2026. L’Île de la Demoiselle, directed by Micha Wald, recounts her ordeal after being shipwrecked with her rapist and a maid on a deserted island near Terre-Neuve.
The film is inspired by the historical Marguerite de la Rocque, who, while traveling to the New World, was assaulted by Thomas d’Artois, a member of the expedition’s crew. Upon discovering her pregnancy, Jean-François de La Rocque de Roberval, her uncle and intended husband, and the vice-roy of Canada, ordered her abandonment on the island, along with d’Artois and her servant, Damienne, in 1542. Wald’s film depicts her nearly three-year struggle for survival against the harsh elements and the continued threat posed by d’Artois.
A Survivor’s Tale, as the film is also known internationally, focuses on the patriarchal and religious pressures faced by de la Rocque. The narrative details her fight to protect herself and her unborn child while confronting accusations of witchcraft upon her eventual return to France. The film’s synopsis, as detailed by KG Productions, highlights the “oppressive patriarchal and religious structures that seek to destroy her spirit.”
The production, a Franco-Belgian collaboration between KG Productions, Stenola Productions, and CZAR TV, features Salomé Dewaels in the role of Marguerite de la Rocque, with Louis Peres as Thomas d’Artois and Candice Bouchet as Damienne. Alexandra Lamy also appears in the cast. Joachim Philippe served as Director of Photography, with a musical score composed by Catherine Graindorge, Elie Rabinovitch, and Hildur Guðnadóttir.
L’Île de la Demoiselle received its first public screening at the Cinemania film festival in late 2025. Logical Pictures International is handling international sales, while The Jokers Films is distributing the film within France. The film’s release comes after years in development, with the screenplay credited to Wald, Agnès Caffin, Olivier Meys, and Samuel Malhoure.
The film’s production team included Alexandre Gavras as Executive Producer, and Helena Cisterne as Production Designer. Editing was completed by Alain Dessauvage, with sound recording by Jan Deca and Xavier Dujardin. Costume design was led by Tzigane de Braconier.