: Near death from thirst and heat, Augustin discovers an oasis within the ruins of an ancient city. There, he encounters a female leopard he names "Simoom".

: When Augustin's regiment eventually returns, his instincts as a soldier reassert themselves. In a moment of panic and misunderstanding, he kills Simoom in self-defense when she pounces on him as he attempts to leave. Artistic and Critical Reception

The film (1997) is a visually striking adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s 1830 short story, directed by Lavinia Currier . Set during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign in 1798, it tells the story of a French soldier who becomes lost in the Sahara and forms a surreal, intense bond with a wild leopard. Plot Overview