A new film depicting the life and death of Jean Moulin, France’s foremost Resistance hero during World War II, premiered this week amid growing national reflection ahead of next year’s presidential election. Directed by Laszlo Nemes, "Moulin" stars Gilles Lellouche as the civil servant who unified various French Resistance networks and aligned them with Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French forces in exile. Moulin was famously tortured to death by the Gestapo in 1943 while resisting interrogation under Klaus Barbie, the notorious "Butcher of Lyon."
The release of this biographical drama follows a series of recent French films revisiting the wartime era, including the two-part "La Bataille de Gaulle" and other productions focusing on the occupation, the Vichy regime led by Philippe Pétain, and the complex legacies of collaboration and resistance. Observers note that these films resonate strongly in a France increasingly polarized politically, as the country prepares for a presidential vote marked by the prominence of far-right and far-left candidates.
Lellouche, known primarily for comedy and thriller roles, has suggested that "Moulin" captures broader anxieties within French society, particularly fears about the fragility of freedoms amid rising authoritarian tendencies. “The temptation towards authoritarianism is strong: we see it … of course here at home, where the threat of the far-right looms,” he said, adding that confronting historical realities is crucial to preserving democratic values.
Nemes, who previously won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film with "Son of Saul" in 2016, refrained from directly linking the film to contemporary French politics. Instead, he framed the story as a universal moral reflection on humanity’s recurring attraction to barbarity and its capacity for transcendence. When presented at the Cannes Film Festival, "Moulin" received a standing ovation, with Nemes describing it as representing “the best of western civilisation.”
Producer Alain Goldman emphasized the film’s relevance amid current global turmoil, stating that “in the face of an invader, there are only two possible responses: either we resist or we collaborate.” The film’s reception among critics has been largely positive, with praise focusing on its inspirational portrayal of resistance for younger generations unfamiliar with the detailed history.
However, the film has also faced sharp criticism from historians and members of Moulin’s own family. Some have accused it of distorting historical facts and prioritizing dramatic effect over accuracy. Thomas Rabino, a biographer of the Resistance figure, called the movie “a disaster from the historical point of view,” underscoring ongoing debates about how the Resistance and wartime history should be represented in contemporary culture.
As France heads toward a pivotal election, the renewed public engagement with these historical narratives highlights enduring questions about national identity, memory, and the challenges democracy faces in times of political division.