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Belgian director Michaël R. Roskam’s latest film explores a remarkable World War II operation in which members of the Belgian Resistance attempted to subvert Nazi propaganda by creating a counterfeit edition of a major newspaper. The story centers on Marc Aubrion, an anarchist poet played by Arieh Worthalter, who devises an audacious plan to print a fake version of “Le Soir,” a publication that had been commandeered by the Gestapo to disseminate propaganda to the occupied population.
Based on historical events from 1943, the film follows Aubrion’s recruitment into the Resistance and the subsequent effort to reach citizens beyond the organization’s existing underground readership. The production emphasizes the technical and logistical challenges of the operation, dedicating considerable attention to printing processes, distribution networks, and the administrative complexities of producing a single clandestine newspaper issue. While this focus provides an uncommon perspective on media production, the extended runtime of 133 minutes dwells heavily on procedural problem-solving rather than dramatic tension.
Roskam attempts to enliven the material through stylistic flourishes including dynamic camera movements and a prominent musical score, occasionally drawing parallels to classic heist cinema. However, these surface-level embellishments fail to generate sustained momentum, leaving the film feeling deliberately paced and methodical. The central message about truth’s power to persuade audiences resonates as well-intentioned but ultimately simplistic.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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