No. 24 (2022) FAREWELL, MR HAFFMANN (Palace French Film Festival, Perth) MARCH 20th.

 

Film No. 24 (2022)  March 20th.  4.00 PM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville. 

"Don't worry Mr Haffmann. Stay here till we figure something out."(Francois reassures Joseph that he will be safe with he and Blanche for the time being, until he can be on his way).

While devouring this sumptuous film it occurred to me that there must be a plethora of intriguing stories still waiting to be told emanating from the folk so affected by the German occupation across Europe during WWII. While FAREWELL, MR HAFFMAN, adapted from the much adored play of the same name by Jean-Philippe Daguerre, is fiction, the premise could come from any number of desperate measures taken by Jews as they exited their everyday lives to escape persecution.

Director Fred Caveye (AbOUT PORTANT) is a friend of Daguerre's, and after viewing the play in 2016, Caveye was determined to bring the story of talented Parisian jeweller Joseph Haffmann and the desperate plight he and his family faced in trying to survive German occupation. Friend or not I feel sure Daguerre must have been chuffed with Caveye's interpretation. The film is a triumph.

Haffmann (Daniel Auteuil) and family live a comfortable life in the business district of Paris in 1941. Joseph's jewellery business sits below his residence. He watches fellow Jews being extracted from the city at gun point. He hurriedly concocts a plan to send his family to safety, then, before he follows them, organises with newly appointed assistant Francois (Gilles Lellouche) to buy the business with the caveat to return the enterprise back to Haffmann when war ended. How uncomplicated could all that be?    

Daniel Auteuil (Haffmann), Gilles Lellouche (Francois) and Sara Giraudeau (Blanche) carry this period drama with wonderful poise. Three of France's most talented performers bring themes of good-will, greed, jealousy, loyalty, lust and finally cruelty, starkly to the screen. Those who love theatre and film equally will luxuriate in FAREWELL, MR HAFFMANN. 11GUMS.