Suite Française
classified 15Please note: This was screened in March 2015
Over fifty years after acclaimed novelist Irène Némirovsky's death in a concentration camp, her daughter finally found the courage to read her journals. What she discovered was an incredible novel written by her mother during the actual period it was set - 1940s France under the German occupation.
Adapted here by British director Saul Dibb (The Duchess), the story follows the young and beautiful Lucile Angellier (Michelle Williams) who awaits news from her husband, a prisoner of war, whilst living a stifled existence with her domineering mother-in-law (Kristen Scott-Thomas).
The war seems very far away for the small town residents until a stream of refugees from Paris pour into town, followed very shortly by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in their homes. In Lucile's home a handsome and refined German officer (Matthias Schoenaerts) has been posted to live with them. Initially Lucile tries to ignore her enemy but soon a powerful attraction draws them together and traps them in the tragedy of war.
Whilst their tragic love unfolds the true colours of some of the townspeople are also revealed - the different responses to occupation and the eagerness of some to please their new masters and use the situation to further their own positions by betraying their neighbours is observed with horror by Lucille and her German lover. A powerful period drama.