SAFE CONDUCT (Laissez-passer), based on the autobiographical works of screenplay writer Jean Aurenche and director Jean-Devaivre, was directed by Bertrand Tavernier in 2001. The actor Jacques Gamblin earned the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin Festival for his performance.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
The setting is Paris during the years 1942 and 1943. Jean Aurenche and Jean-Devaivre try to cope with the German occupation in their everyday life. Aurenche, already well-known for his sceenplays, doesn't want to work for Dr. Greven, the head of the German Continental Film Production company, and has a heard time finding poor excuses to it.
Jean-Devaivre, a director assistant, is working for the Continental and must deal with the reel rationing and the German censorship. Between two bombings of Paris by the English RAF, he sends his family to the countryside. He tries to resist the German occupation in a small way by discreetly helping the French Resistance. Soon he has to direct himself movies as, one by one, directors are leaving Paris and Jewish technicians are being arrested by the Gestapo.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler
