French Film on Collaboration During WWII Sparks Debate

World War II film released in 2026

The film Les Rayons et les Ombres, directed by Xavier Giannoli, was released in 2026 and focuses on the true story of Jean Luchaire, a Frenchman who collaborated with Nazi forces during World War II.

Narrative structure and historical scope

The film spans from the 1920s to 1948, using flashbacks from the perspective of Corinne Luchaire, Jean's daughter, played by Nastya Golubeva, to trace his ideological evolution during the war.

Production scale and box office performance

With a budget of nearly 31 million euros, Les Rayons et les Ombres became one of the most expensive French films ever made. It premiered on March 18 and sold 906,000 tickets in France.

Critical and historical reception

The film sparked debate, with some critics and historians calling it an attempt to "relativize" collaboration with the Nazis, while others praised its complex portrayal of history and its cinematic quality.

Director's intent and availability

Xavier Giannoli emphasized the film's goal to explore the complexity of French history during the war without justifying collaboration. The film is currently available on Canal+ through myCANAL.