The Governess

In 1840s London, Rosina's beloved father is killed, so she must take a job in order to keep her deeply religious Jewish family afloat. Choosing the new name of Mary Blackchurch, she accepts a job as a governess to a wealthy gentile family in Scotland. Her responsibility is to be the friend and teacher of the Cavendishes' young daughter, Clementina, a mean-spirited, spoiled child. Mary is much more interested in the work being done by Mr. Cavendish as he attempts to perfect an early form of photography. But working closely in the laboratory soon releases feelings that change their very different worlds. (official distributor synopsis)