The Statement

Pierre Brossard, a French Nazi collaborator, is responsible for ordering the execution of seven Jews during World War II. Fast forward nearly four decades, and he finds himself the target of David Manenbaum, a hitman tasked with eliminating Brossard while leaving behind a printed statement declaring the act as vengeance for the Jewish lives lost in 1944. In a twist of fate, Brossard manages to kill Manenbaum, hiding the body and uncovering his pursuer’s use of a Canadian passport. For years, Brossard sought refuge among the Traditionalist Catholic community in southern France, relying on long-time allies who operate covertly to shield him and supply him with funds. However, their assistance brings new scrutiny that makes them uneasy.

The murder of Manenbaum draws the attention of local law enforcement, particularly the determined Investigating Judge Annemarie Livi. Undeterred by the lack of cooperation from official channels, Livi becomes deeply invested in the case. She partners with the equally committed Colonel Roux, a key investigator in the French Gendarmerie. Initially, they suspect that Manenbaum may have been involved in a Jewish assassination scheme. As their investigation unfolds, they uncover a history of previous inquiries into Brossard that have gone unresolved for over 40 years. The walls start to close in as Livi and Roux uncover clandestine resources and increase the pressure on Brossard, who begins to feel the betrayal of those he once trusted.

In a moment of desperation, Brossard unexpectedly visits his estranged wife Nicole, a maid struggling with life in Marseille, who is apprehensive about their reunion. Meanwhile, his allies, including several priests and a former wartime colleague now holding significant power within the French government, become increasingly anxious about the relentless probing from Livi and Roux. Facing an impending crisis and uncertainty about whom he can trust, Brossard seeks new identity documents and funds to escape France for good. On the fateful night set for his departure, however, he is fatally shot by his handler Pochon, acting on orders from former government supporters who fear Brossard could expose them if he is captured.

In the aftermath of Brossard’s demise, Livi and Roux track the conspiracy that safeguarded him back to a high-ranking government official, ultimately leading to his arrest on charges of treason.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 02:41