Original title: | Resistance |
Director: | Jonathan Jakubowicz |
Release: | Cinema |
Running time: | 122 minutes |
Release date: | 00 0000 (France) |
Rating: |
If Resistance manages to find the epic breath of the great adventure films it is because it is not content to be a simple historical drama and even less a biopic devoted to a part of Marcel Marceau's life. Jonathan Jakubowicz's scenario allows us to plunge back into the middle of World War II when the Germans have succeeded in conquering Europe and their Nazis are doing everything possible to eliminate as many Jews as possible, even if it means torturing innocent people and highlighting the vile baseness of certain individuals ready to do anything to sell information of all kinds. In this dark period of history, some men were nevertheless going to stand up against this ignominy of the German forces, notably a young artist who showed irascible courage even if it meant risking his life to save young Jewish children and bring them to the free zone in Switzerland.
From the very first scenes of the film we discover Marcel Marceau in the middle of a performance in a small theatre. While the Germans have not yet invaded the majority of European countries, he leads a double life working in his father's butcher shop but also giving shows and worshipping Charlie Chaplin. As for Marcel's brother, he gives his time to help orphan children. Emma, with whom Marcel is secretly in love, also works with her brother and also feels a certain fabulousness for him. The destiny of these three people will be reunited when the Germans launch their offensive and decide to show their armed force not only against the Jews but also against all the resistance fighters. Admittedly, this film about the Holocaust does not have the emotional power of Steven Spielberg's magnificent film Schindler's List (1993), but it does benefit from the great care taken in the historical reconstruction of the 1940s in France.
We can only salute once again the remarkable interpretation of Jesse Eisenberg (Bienvenue à Zombieland (2009), The Social Network (2010), Insaisissables (2013)...) who gives his character Marcel Marceau a real psychological thickness and proves to be as comfortable miming as he is showing enormous courage in saving the lives of many children. In the same way, the supporting roles are not to be outdone with Clémence Poésy, Félix Moati, and Matthias Schweighöfer in the role of the monstrous lKlaus Barbie. The scenario not only gives them consistent roles but above all by its approach proves to be close to the nightmarish tale in which individuals will try their best to escape from a territory occupied by Germany and leaving little hope for many people.
Certainly, Resistance is not a perfect film, starting with its too slow rhythm and a willingness not to fully show the many horrors of this period. In the same way by wanting to avoid any sensationalism, this film lacks a bit of originality and turns out to be too academic.
Resistance
Directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz
Produced by Claudine Jakubowicz, Dan Maag, Thorsten Schumacher, Carlos García de Paredes, Patrick Zorer, Jonathan Jakubowicz
Screenplay by Jonathan Jakubowicz
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Clémence Poésy, Matthias Schweighöfer, Félix Moati, Géza Röhrig, Karl Markovics, Vica Kerekes, Bella Ramsey, Ed Harris, Édgar Ramírez, Alicia von Rittberg
Music by Angelo Milli
Cinematography: M.I. Littin-Menz
Edited by Alexander Berner
Production company: Bliss Media, Epicentral Studios, Ingenious Media, Neptune Features, Panteleon Films, Rocket Science, Vertical Media
Distributed by IFC Films (United States), Warner Bros. Pictures (Germany)
Release date ; March 8, 2020 (Miami Film Festival), March 27, 2020 (United States)
Running time 120 minutes
Seen on September 9, 2020 at the Centre International de Deauville
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