Emmanuel Marre's Solo Feature Debut 'A Man of His Time' Examines Vichy France
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Director Emmanuel Marre's first solo feature, 'A Man of His Time', is a World War II-era drama set in the Vichy government bureaucracy. The film, based on his great-grandfather's story, follows a man attempting to join the inner circles of the Pétain regime without depicting war scenes or violence. It premieres with cinematography by Olivier Boonjing and a soundtrack blending '80s synthpop.
Facts First
- Emmanuel Marre's solo feature debut is the World War II drama 'A Man of His Time'
- The protagonist is based on Marre's great-grandfather, a man attempting to join the Vichy government's inner circles
- The film avoids depictions of war or violence, focusing instead on bureaucratic life in the Pétain regime
- Cinematography by Olivier Boonjing employs a grainy handheld style
- The soundtrack blends period drama with '80s synthpop, including Opus' 'Live is Life'
What Happened
Director Emmanuel Marre has released his first solo feature film, 'A Man of His Time', a drama set in the Vichy government established after France's fall in 1940. The film follows protagonist Henri Marre, played by Swann Arlaud, as he attempts to join the inner circles of the bureaucracy supporting the Pétain government. The character is based on Emmanuel Marre's great-grandfather, and much of the film's incident is derived from contemporary correspondence between the real Henri and his wife Paulette, played by Sandrine Blancke.
Why this Matters to You
If you are interested in historical drama, this film may offer a distinct perspective by focusing on the bureaucratic and social life within a collaborationist regime rather than battlefield action. The use of a grainy handheld cinematography style and a soundtrack that includes '80s synthpop could create an unconventional viewing experience for a period piece.
What's Next
The film, with a runtime of 148 minutes, is now available for viewing. Its approach to depicting history through personal correspondence and bureaucratic detail, rather than violence, may influence how other filmmakers tackle similar historical subjects.