
Synopsis/Details
In Nazi-occupied France, Jean Lucelle, a once-celebrated violinist, lives a conflicted existence as a translator for the German occupiers. Disillusioned and detached, Jean struggles with the compromises he's made to survive, numbing himself to the horrors surrounding him. His life takes a transformative turn when Emil Gendelav, a fellow musician and Jewish resistance member, entrusts him with a deeply personal mission: deliver a letter to Emil's estranged daughter, Sarah, living under an assumed identity.
When Emil is tragically captured and executed by the Nazis, Jean, accompanied by a loyal dog he rescues along the way, sets off on a perilous journey across the war-torn countryside to honor Emil's last wish. Haunted by memories of lost love and guilt for his complicity, Jean faces a harrowing odyssey that forces him to confront his moral ambivalence and rediscover his humanity.
As he navigates checkpoints, betrayal, and danger, Jean's violin becomes more than a relic of his past; it is his voice of defiance and a bridge to the people he encounters. Ultimately, his journey is a testament to the power of love, music, and sacrifice in the face of unthinkable evil.
All Accolades & Coverage
CoverFly Top 26%
Quarterfinalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards Spring 2023
Quarterfinalist, Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition 2024
Selection, Sacramento International Film Festival, 2024
Story & Logistics
Story Type:
Hero's Journey
Story Situation:
Remorse
Story Conclusion:
Bitter-sweet
Linear Structure:
Linear
Moral Affections:
Dereliction of Duty, Guilt, Selfishness, Vice, Virtue
Cast Size:
Several
Locations:
Few
Special Effects:
Blood, Minor cgi, Minor pyrotechnics, Other practical effects
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Male Adult
Hero Type:
Gifted, Unfortunate
Villian Type:
Pure Evil
Stock Character Types:
Tortured artist, Villain, Wise old man
Advanced
Subgenre:
World War 2
Action Elements:
Hand to Hand Combat, Weaponry
Equality & Diversity:
LGBT+ Focused
Life Topics:
Death, Quarterlife Crisis
Time Period:
World War II (1939–1945)
Country:
Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway
Time of Year:
Spring, Valentine’s Day
Relationship Topics:
Courtship, Love, Same-sex
Writer Style:
Steven Zallian