The rays and the shadows
The fates of Jean and Corinne Luchaire, a father and daughter in occupied France. She is a young movie star and he is a prominent journalist but also a friend of the powerful Nazi German ambassador to Paris, Otto Abetz.
Trailer
My opinion
The film was long, but never boring. The story remains intriguing from beginning to end, carried by exceptional actors: Jean Dujardin as Jean Luchaire, Nastya Golubeva Carax as Corrinne Luchaire, and August Diehl as Otto Abetz. They all perfectly embody their characters, and every visual detail has been carefully considered, even the smallest, which testifies to remarkable craftsmanship.
The atmosphere, oscillating between the present and the past, is expertly handled: these transitions allow the viewer to follow the story even if their attention wanders slightly at times, given the film's density. The music perfectly complements the scenes without ever being intrusive, enhancing the immersion.
The film is tough, but it deals with a difficult part of history, and the chosen approach is very original. It's not just the historical dimension that's striking, but the way the story is told: through the eyes of a daughter of a collaborator, misunderstood by everyone, which brings a unique perspective compared to other films of the genre.