''The Last Front'' is a Belgian
epic
Epic commonly refers to:
* Epic poetry, a long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation
* Epic film, a genre of film defined by the spectacular presentation of human drama on a grandiose scale
Epic(s) ...
period action drama film written and directed by
Julien Hayet-Kerknawi. Set during
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, it follows a widower farmer who becomes a war hero, Leonard (
Iain Glen), and his family as they are thrown into the midst of a war they do not understand. It is set during the first days of the conflict as the German war machine advances and during what came to be known as the
Rape of Belgium
The Rape of Belgium was a series of systematic war crimes, especially mass murder and German occupation of Belgium during World War I#Deportation and forced labour, deportation, by German troops against Belgians, Belgian civilians during Germa ...
.
Plot
It is set during
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
and follows Leonard as he is driven to spearhead a resistance and protect his community during the German invasion of Belgium.
Development
''The Last Front'' builds on the short film ''A Broken Man'' that Kerknawi made in 2015 and which received international recognition, being selected to screen at the 2016
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world.
Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...
as well as winning an award at the
WorldFest film festival in Houston.
Cast
*
Iain Glen as Leonard
*
Sasha Luss
Aleksandra "Sasha" Alexeyevna Luss () is a Russian-American fashion model and actress best known for portraying the titular character in the 2019 action thriller film ''Anna (2019 feature film), Anna''.
Early life
Luss was born in Magadan, M ...
as Louise
*
Joe Anderson as Laurentz
*
David Calder as Father Michael
*
James Downie as Adrien
*
Julian Kostov as Thomas Bosmans
*
Koen De Bouw as Dr. Janssen
*
Philippe Brenninkmeyer as Maximilian Von Rauch
*
Mathijs Scheepers as Corporal Weber
*
Joren Seldeslachts as Enzo
*
Trine Thielen as Elise
*
Anna Ballantine as Camille Maes
*
Leander Vyvey as Peer Schultz
*
Emma Moortgat as Maria
*
Caroline Stas as Brigitte
*
Kevin Murphy as Fergal
*
Sam Rintoul as Henri Maes
*
Emma Dupont as Johanna
*
Steve Armand as Nicolas
Themes
''The Last Front'' delves into themes of lost connections, grief, and the complexity of human nature amidst the chaos of war. By focusing on the nuanced interactions between characters, the film offers a contemplative look at war, emphasising the internal battles faced by individuals as much as the physical conflicts that surround them.
Hayet-Kerknawi said he deliberately wanted to move away from the usual tropes of World War I movies. "No trenches, no left-side Allies, right-side Germans", he said. "I want to show the people how the people themselves handled the First World War, how they had to fight and struggle."
Release
''The Last Front'' had its world premiere at
Kinepolis in
Ghent
Ghent ( ; ; historically known as ''Gaunt'' in English) is a City status in Belgium, city and a Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the Provinces of Belgium, province ...
on 1 February 2024. The film was released in
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
on 7 February 2024, and in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
on 9 August 2024, with plans for future releases in other territories yet to be disclosed.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Front, The
2024 films
2024 drama films
2020s Belgian films
Belgian war drama films
Belgian World War I films