The Royal Exchange

People come up with the craziest ideas when they need to make peace between two countries. In 1721, French regent Philippe d'Orléans comes up with a grand strategy: Maria Anna Victoria, the four-year-old daughter of the Spanish king, should marry Philippe's 11-year-old son, while Philippe's daughter, age 12, should marry the Spanish heir to the throne, age 14. The deal is made, and the weddings are planned. The exchange is to take place on an island between the two countries. Without consulting the betrothed, however, there is bound to be some emotional turbulence. (Filmfest München)