The Round Up

Set during the height of the German occupation in World War II, the narrative centers on the July 16–17 Vel d'Hiv roundup in Paris and the subsequent deportations. It traces the journey from detention to transit camps and the eventual fate of many children and families. The period is defined by fear, scarcity, and moral choices under oppressive power.

The action unfolds in Paris during the Nazi occupation, centering on the Montmartre district and the mass roundup at the Vel d'Hiv. It follows the forced detention of Jews in overcrowded conditions, highlighting the fear and uncertainty of those arrested. The story crosses from the Vel d'Hiv to the Beaune-la-Rolande transit camp and, ultimately, to Auschwitz, with the Lutetia hotel serving as a wartime beacon for survivors.

🕯️ Persecution

The film highlights the systematic marginalization of Jews under occupation, underscored by the yellow star and the sudden arrests. It shows how fear and dehumanization ripple through a close-knit community, with neighbors reacting in varied ways. The narrative exposes the ease with which ordinary people become participants in oppression.

🛡️ Compassion

Annette Monod embodies mercy by tending to the sick and protecting vulnerable children despite personal risk. Her efforts create fragile lifelines within crowded, perilous spaces and along the routes of deportation. The theme emphasizes humanity's resilience even in darkest times.

🤝 Collaboration

The story presents the uneasy cooperation between Nazi authorities and certain French officials, enabling arrests and deportations. It explores the ethical tension faced by individuals and institutions under occupation. This theme foregrounds the moral compromises that shape the fate of countless lives.