Film and television director, notably for The Office of LegendsHélier Cisterne evokes Fernand Iveton, the only European executed during the Algerian war, in 1957. While we commemorate the Evian agreements of March 18, 1962, which established independence in Algeria, Of our wounded brothersin theaters Wednesday, March 23, evokes the beginnings that were to lead to war.
1954, in metropolitan France: Fernand, French Pied-noir and Hélène, Polish, fall in love and decide to go and live in Algiers. Communist, he adheres to the independence demands of the Algerians and the FLN in 1956, while his companion fears for his commitment. Fernand commits a series of attacks without victims which will lead him to the guillotine in 1957, when the war is barely a year old.
Chameleon actor, Vincent Lacoste is perfectly in the skin of Fernand Iveton (often spelled with a Y). The resemblance, the game, participate in the incarnation of a convinced, identified with his country of birth and with decolonization. The actor is alternately in love, milling-turning, militant, activist, prisoner and executed. Hélier Cisterne’s camera captures him with hindsight, observes him, while translating his inner movements.
Modest film, like its hero, Of our wounded brothers loses some of its impact in its image framed for television, projected on the big screen. If the characters are privileged to the detriment of the environment, wouldn’t it have been necessary to immerse the film a little more in what fascinates Fernand Iveton in his fight? The whole fate of the film rests on Vincent Lacoste and Vicky Krieps, his companion Hélène, who is also very convincing, like Iveton’s companions in struggle, who are otherwise a little discreet.
By favoring an outside point of view on the destiny of Fernand Iveton, Hélier Cisterne offers rather than a thesis, the possibility for spectators to form an opinion. Is Fernand Iveton’s fight fair? Are his actions justified? Is the trial fair? In addition to the anniversary of the Evian agreements which coincides with the film, Of our wounded brothers comes out more than a month after the Russian invasion in Ukraine which wants to annihilate its independence. A curious reversal of things that makes history stammer.
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Kind : historical drama
Director: Helier Cistern
Actors : Vincent Lacoste, Vicky Krieps, Jules Langlade
Duration : 1h35
Country : France
Exit : March 23, 2022
Distributer : Diaphana Cast
Synopsis : 1954, Hélène and Fernand fall in love. With him she leaves for Algiers, discovers its beauty and the attachment that Fernand has for his country. While Algeria and France are torn apart, their lives are turned upside down. The true story of a couple’s fight for freedom.