At the end of the 19th century, the French intelligence services learn that their current enemy, Germany, is being fed military intelligence from within their upper ranks. A quick inquiry led by French military officers leads to the accusation of the only Jewish officer in a senior position: Alfred Dreyfus. As a result, he is sentenced to life imprisonment on a remote island. Later, a new intelligence leader, a Capitaine Picquart, uncovers the truth and tries to bring it forth. Yet, the French army leadership with all its power will derail all attempts to clear Dreyfus’ name. Picquart, ends up in prison; famous French writer Emile Zola will also be sentenced to prison for accusing in the press the military hierarchy. 

    What has come to be known as the Dreyfus affair is one of the most famous and shameful antisemitic French true stories. In the 2019 historical thriller “An Officer and a Spy” (French title “J’accuse”), director Roman Polanski did not focus on the fierce social battle that raged in France at the time that led to increased antisemitism, political radicalism, fights between pro- and anti-Dreyfus families. Instead, the central figure is George-Marie Picquart, the captain who risked his career and reputation to uncover the truth and to serve justice.

    The French drama with English subtitles demonstrates masterfully how a powerful French army, in the name of “the end justifies the means,” will stop at nothing to prevent the discovery of its initial mistake, let alone its initial crime.

    The power of the French military at the time and the collusion at the higher levels of the state is most sobering. France had previously lost a war against Prussia in 1871, a large part of its Eastern provinces (Alsace and Lorraine) were annexed to the newly formed German state unifying around the powerful Prussian state. Antisemitism was not uniform but still deeply rooted in a part of the population who saw the Jewish people as a foreign cosmopolitan entity, with no loyalty to France. Picquart himself was an antisemite. 

    Capitaine Picquart is played by Jean Dujardin (Oscar winner for his role in “The Artist”), a role that fits him perfectly. He embodies a mix of stiffness, rightfulness, courage and panache that the real Picquart manifested 125 years ago. Louis Garrel, as Dreyfus, is very touching, almost heartbreaking when he re-emerges, broken, from the solitary French Guyana island where he was mistreated for five years. Polanski used a remarkable group of actors to play the military hierarchy, with a special note for Gregory Gadebois who plays Hubert-Joseph Henry, one of the officers entangled in the forgeries that was used to dishonor the army. The crux of the movie might be the duel between Picquart and Henry, a tense and deadly fight between good and evil, where Henry tries desperately to shut down Picquart’s voice. 

    There are many contemporary resonances to this movie. It shows how prejudices and hatred of any type lead to a distorted perception of reality and negate any semblance of critical thinking. But by focusing on Picquart, the film sends an optimistic message: that the rare person that is courageous enough to challenge the status quo within their own organization can change history. Without Picquart, and others that would follow, Dreyfus would have been forgotten on the Île du Diable (the Devil Island).

    Whatever one might think about Polanski, this movie is important. You can experience this masterfully directed historical thriller and drama at the Orinda Theatre starting on Jan. 16. Tickets at Orindamovies.com