DVD Review: Francofonia

Francofonia is an unusual film about the Louvre at the time of the Nazi occupation of Paris, and about the two men who helped keep the art safe. It has an odd feel right from the start, opening with a voice conversing with old photos, which is strangely haunting. And the film is aware of itself as a film, even showing us the Francofonia clapperboard a couple of times.  It is sort of a documentary, but one without interviews or any of the usual trappings, though there is voice over throughout the film.

Early on that voice tells us, “The French are all cinematographers, making films regardless of the situation.” And we see old footage of Paris from 1940 when the Nazis entered the empty city. Regarding the Louvre, the voice posits, “Might it be that this museum is worth more than all of France?” And then, “It sometimes seems museums don’t care what happens around them as long as they’re left in peace.”

There are two men at the center of this film, though the footage of them is all recreations. Jacques Jaujard was the French official in charge of the Louvre and all national museums in Paris. Count Wolff-Metternich was the representative of the German command sent to inspect the Louvre, saying his mission was to preserve art collections, museums and historic monuments in France and Europe. Both men were in their forties at the time of the occupation, and the film gives us a bit of the backgrounds of both men, including information regarding the first World War.

The film is also about French identity under the occupation, which is fascinating, as well as about the unoccupied territory, and the importance of art to one’s identity, both personal and national. We’re given a bit of history of the Louvre and the land where it stands, and of course we see many works of art. But, unlike most documentaries, the works aren’t identified. And that’s all part of the film’s more conversational and personal tone. The film has an unusual tone and pacing, almost like a meditation on the Louvre at the time of war, with a relaxed feel, and several reminders that this is a film, giving it a peculiar perspective, one that seems more personal and subjective. The film also at times directly addresses the audience in voice over. “You aren’t tired of listening to me yet?” the voice asks at one point.

We do learn what happened to the two men after the war, and this information is also presented in an unusual way. The narrator speaks directly to them, giving them a glimpse of their futures.

Special Features

The DVD includes the documentary Illustrious & Unknown: How Jacques Jaujard Saved The Louvre, which you can watch with French narration and English subtitles, or with English narration. It is approximately an hour, and to me is actually a more interesting film than the main feature. It is about how Jaujard moved many of the great works of art out of the museum before the Nazis arrived, and what he had to do to continue to ensure their safety. It’s interesting that he had employees rehearse the evacuation, and that he used colored discs to represent the importance of a painting. This documentary includes photos of the empty Louvre. Even though many works were saved, this film does mention that in one day the Nazis burned 600 paintings, including works by Picasso and Dali.

The DVD also includes Visitors To The Louvre, a documentary on the making of Francofonia, which is approximately fifty-four minutes and features footage of the production in the Louvre, as well as other locations. Approximately ten and a half minutes in, check out the extra having her fur stole pose for a photo on her phone.

The film’s trailer is also included, as well as a booklet with thoughts on the film by Alexander Sokurov and Jeremi Szaniawski.