Swann Arlaud stars as a zealous Vichy clerk in the provocative Cannes debut "Notre salut"

At the Cannes festival, the new drama "Notre salut" opened to strong reactions for its raw portrayal of the Vichy government. Swann Arlaud embodies a fervent junior civil servant, illustrating how ordinary officials sustained the collaborationist regime. The film deliberately avoids nostalgic or museum-like treatment, opting instead for a direct confrontation with history at a moment when far-right narratives are gaining traction in France.

Director Emmanuel Marre, a French filmmaker now living in Brussels, has previously earned notice for short works such as "D’un château l’autre" and the sharply modern "Rien à foutre" (2022). Critics note that the movie stands apart from recent WWII-themed releases that tend to glorify the period, offering instead a stark, contemporary critique. Its debut coincides with a broader cultural push against extremist rhetoric, including a notable anti-Bolloré op-ed in Libération.