Notre salut, directed by Emmanuel Marre and released in theaters on September 30, 2026, explores the inner workings of the Vichy regime through the story of Henri Marre, a civil servant who arrives in Vichy in 1940 seeking opportunity. Based on the letters of Marre's great-grandfather, the film follows Henri's personal and professional journey, as he brings with him a self-published work titled Notre salut, which outlines his ideas for restoring France through efficiency. The film, which won the Screenplay Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, focuses on the everyday administrators who helped sustain the regime, rather than on prominent historical figures. Henri Marre, played by Swann Arlaud, is portrayed as an ambitious yet inept bureaucrat who attempts to apply his management theories to the new administration. The film highlights the bureaucratic procedures that enabled the deportation of Jews, showing how administrative language and euphemisms were used to mask the true nature of these actions. One review praised the film for its depiction of the ordinary mechanics behind historical atrocities, while another noted its focus on the personal motivations and contradictions of its protagonist. The film's staging is described as artisanal and documentary-like, using natural light and handheld camera work to create a sense of immediacy. This approach, combined with anachronistic musical choices such as tracks from the 1970s and 1980s, creates a dissonance that emphasizes the continuity between the past and the present. Some critics suggest that the music challenges traditional historical narratives, while others argue that it adds a modern layer that connects the 1940s with contemporary times. The film also delves into Henri Marre's personal life, exploring his strained relationship with his wife, Paulette, played by Sandrine Blancke. Their correspondence, which includes discussions of his work and personal struggles, reveals the tension between his professional ambitions and the reality of his personal life. One review highlighted the emotional depth of their relationship, while another emphasized the film's focus on the banality of evil and the personal cost of complicity. Notre salut approaches history from both an intimate and national perspective, focusing on the everyday experiences of those who shaped history from the background rather than the forefront. It avoids grand depictions of historical figures, instead emphasizing the roles of those who facilitated the mechanisms of a totalitarian regime. One critic noted the film's focus on Henri Marre's personal journey, while another highlighted its broader implications for understanding historical complicity. Released in 2026, amidst a political climate marked by the rise of the far right, the film has drawn comparisons to other works that explore themes of collaboration and resistance during World War II. Notre salut is regarded as a significant contribution to French cinema, offering a nuanced look at the mechanisms of power and the personal choices that led to complicity in the Vichy regime.