The 1920s in America were full of promise, but also a ton of hardship.

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Nowhere is that more prevalent than the immigrant experience, and the millions of people that came through Ellis Island in search of a better life. In The Immigrant, one of those huddled masses is Marion Cotillard, whose character comes over with her sister from Poland. Unable to gain citizenship, she becomes a prostitute in the house of Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix), “a morose exploiter with a poison soul, who nevertheless loves her in his tormented-sadistic way,” according to EW critic Owen Gleiberman.

The film, directed by James Gray (Two Lovers) and also starring Jeremy Renner, originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Watch the slightly NSFW French trailer below:

The Immigrant in expected to hit U.S. theaters this spring.