Monsieur Batignole (2002)

In 1942, in an occupied Paris, the apolitical grocer Edmond Batignole lives with his wife and daughter in a small apartment in the building of his grocery. When his future son-in-law and ... See full summary »

Director:

Gérard Jugnot

Writers:

Gérard Jugnot (scenario), Philippe Lopes-Curval (scenario),

Stars:

Jules Sitruk, Gérard Jugnot, Michèle Garcia

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jules Sitruk	...	Simon Bernstein
Gérard Jugnot	...	Edmond Batignole
Michèle Garcia	...	Marguerite Batignole (as Michele Garcia)
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Pierre-Jean Lamour
Alexia Portal	...	Micheline Batignole
Violette Blanckaert	...	Sarah Cohen
Daphné Baiwir	...	Guila Cohen (as Daphne Baiwir)
Götz Burger	...	SS Col. Spreich
Elisabeth Commelin	...	Irène
Hubert Saint-Macary	...	Gendarmerie lieutenant
Daniel Martin	...	Brigadier Albert
Nadine Spinoza	...	Rachel Bernstein
Damien Jouillerot	...	Martin
Philippe du Janerand	...	Administrateur
Marie-Gaëlle Cals	...	Edwige

Storyline

In 1942, in an occupied Paris, the apolitical grocer Edmond Batignole lives with his wife and daughter in a small apartment in the building of his grocery. When his future son-in-law and collaborator of the German Pierre-Jean Lamour calls the Nazis to arrest the Jewish Bernstein family, they move to the confiscated apartment. Some days later, the young Simon Bernstein escapes from the Germans and comes to his former home. When Batignole finds him, he feels sorry for the boy and lodges him, hiding Simon from Pierre-Jean and also from his wife. Later, two cousins of Simon meet him in the cellar of the grocery. When Pierre-Jean finds the children, Batignole decides to travel with the children to Switzerland.

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Plot Keywords:

children | german | switzerland | escape | police | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films [fr] (French)

Country:

France

Language:

French German

Release Date:

6 March 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

Edmond Batignole

Filming Locations:

Le Bizot, Doubs, France

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,872,045 (France) (25 January 2002)

Gross:

$6,463,671 (Europe) (22 March 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RF2K Productions, Novo Arturo Films, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Pierre-Jean threatens Edmond with the cleaver, the blade is vertical in shots from the front but is horizontal in shots from behind Edmond.

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Soundtracks

"Elle a tout"
Music by Francis Lopez (as Francis López)
Lyrics by Raymond Vincy and André Hornez
Performed by Andrex

User Reviews

Very enjoyable and light approach to a heavy subject

Though a very heavy subject, Monsieur Batignole approaches the French collaboration and attempts of two Jewish families to escape war-time Paris in an enjoyable manner that is so common of Jugnot.

Jugnot plays one of his typical likeable characters who doesn't want to get involved, but finds himself nonetheless thrown in with three Jewish children as they attempt to escape to Switzerland. Jean-Paul Rouve also does a fabulous job of acting, making you hate him just for playing his character.

Well seasoned with humor, recognition and turning points, this is definitely a good film to see and perhaps even learn a lesson from.