Safe Conduct

Safe Conduct (2002) starring Jacques Gamblin, Denis Podalydes. Set in 1942 in Paris, this movie tells the true story of French filmmakers struggling to continue to work during the German occupation. Conflict arises when some film artists try to go along with German dictates about how movies should be made, and others strive to rebel and survive. The film is darkly humorous, with many striking visuals. The "Safe Conduct" of the title refers to the papers the French were required to carry to move about freely in the German-occupied zone. In the end, however, I found this epic film (almost three hours long) had lost something in the translation. The movie is in French, with English subtitles. Grade: B