Gaumont's 'Rays and Shadows' Sparks Controversy Over France's Nazi Collaboration History

Gaumont's latest film, 'Rays and Shadows,' directed by Xavier Giannoli, has ignited a heated debate in France as it revisits the sensitive topic of French collaboration with the Nazis during World War II. This cinematic exploration comes half a century after the contentious release of Louis Malle’s 'Lacombe Lucien,' which stirred similar discourse. The deep and painful wounds of France's occupation and collaboration with Nazi Germany are reopened in this film, as it challenges the national consciousness and memory surrounding this turbulent period. Critics are divided, with some praising the film for its unflinching look at the past, while others see it as a painful reminder of a chapter many would rather forget. In the context of contemporary France’s identity and reckoning with history, 'Rays and Shadows' is positioned not just as a film but as a focal point in an ongoing national culture war.