A Belgian farmer struggles to save his family and fellow villagers from a brutal German soldier in the early days of World War I. In The Last Front, we have a horrifying description of how innocent civilians are massacred with great realism and a poetic contrast between their peaceful lifestyle. Like Terrence Malick, director/co-writer Julien Hayet-Kerknawi does this by having both the torn protagonist and his cruel opponent talk inside themselves. Peaceful men turn into warriors whereas war enables even invaders to behave in the most wicked ways. Although it falls short in some respects, The Last Front is an intensely emotional film.
Situated in Flanders, Belgium during August 1914, Commander Maximilian Von Rauch (Philippe Brenninkmeyer) leads a battalion of Germans through rural villages. Lieutenant Laurentz (Joe Anderson), his son, cannot distinguish between an enemy soldier and a civilian. After one of his own is killed by sniper fire he executes women and children. Rauch scolds Rauch for such behaviors as well as acrimonious disposition. By doing this they risk making everyone an enemy through such heartless killing. Several miles away Leonard Lambert (Iain Glen) mourns the death of his wife Trine Thielen). His dutiful teenage daughter Johanna(Emma Dupont) works the fields; washing laundry by herself.Where did his son go? Underneath a tree Adrien lies reciting poetry to Louise whom he loves so much(Sasha Luss). The town’s wealthy doctor’s daughter(Koen De Bouw), who knows both their fathers wouldn’t approve.Her groom-to-be doesn’t care: Adrien has declared that they will wed anyhow.
Leonard goes to town at Father Michael’s request (David Calder). They all know that Germans are coming their way scared people have every reason to look forward to him when its enemy arrives.Thus Leonard wants nothing but peace.He only has fields to harvest and a runaway son to bring back to sanity. Leonard is home again to have his son and Louise come to their sense, but Johanna’s piercing scream interrupts them. A German soldier has caught her.
The Last Front does not initially portray every German as evil. Rauch believes in rules of war. He is shocked at what Laurentz has become, but he does not remove him from duty. A curt verbal reprimand will not stop the killing spree. Laurentz, drunk and aggressive, thinks that his father is an old fool.They are taking losses because locals are collaborators who betray them.Anyone who can fight must be pacified by all means necessary; they’re like sub-human scum that deserves their fate.
However, Leonardo along with many other villagers believes that Germans wouldn’t see any difference between them and Belgian army. Is it possible for him that they would be slaughtered like sheep? Those scenes were quite painful to watch.Hayet-Kerknawi who adapted the movie from his award-winning short film doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to showing how a paradise can be looted brutally.This made formerly charming streets now strewn with terrified dead bodies.
As Leonard tries to kill, he can see his wife everywhere. He has to fight against himself in order to be as cruel as Laurentz. The skilled acting of Glen and the intriguing body language by Hayet-Kerknawi make a difference to the script. You can watch him go from being terrified into deadly on the spot. This change is indeed inspiring and fulfils its purpose, but needs better exposition. As Father Micheal wanted, he takes charge. However, it is never explained why Leonard was so well respected by villagers yet at the beginning he was portrayed as someone who kept to himself. It’s easy to follow where this is going with The Last Front’s second act taking a predictable path that sees Leonard rise up for everyone.
For survivors, Louise embodies the kind of resilience needed for them to continue living life after such horrors have occurred. A privileged life of wealth and authentic love is shattered. Her story arc is most compelling and honest one among them all Those fleeing war have had to save themselves while still haunted by love lost and witnessed horrors But Hayet-Kerknawi gives Luss a stunningly dramatic monologue near film’s end in which she tries to hide from Laurentz’ men What manifestation of such hate could make so beautiful a day as this? These words are an indictment of humanity itself –its insatiable taste for destruction is unrelenting Luss’ latest triumphs on stage come courtesy of her most histrionic performance yet.
The Last Front brilliantly captures the horror of war and rightly casts blame upon those who find joy in its brutality. In an expected narrative, Leonard becomes the hero but Laurentz is obviously more guilty than others. He’s unleashed vicious beast that turns loose for victory’s sake only His father’s disappointment means nothing when bodies pile up around you War crimes do not exist in a vacuum Perpetrators pelt their victims because they are permitted
Zilvermeer Productions and The Last Front BV are the producers of The Last Front. It is currently being shown in limited release in theaters by Enigma Releasing. You can watch the trailer below.
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