Claude Miller’s extraordinary new film Un Secret traces the life of a Jewish family during and after the Second World War. Adapted from Phillipe Grimbert’s autobiographical novel, this film is one of Miller’s finest works in years.
An exploration of dark secrets and passion, the story centres on François, who is trying to come to terms with conflicting memories from his childhood. An only son, he was always haunted by a sense that he had a phantom brother. Now an adult, he embarks on a search for answers. What he uncovers is a painful history of a family struggling to survive during the Occupation, forced to decide between declaring and concealing their Jewish identity. Using a complex, seamless structure of flashbacks, Miller has created a fresh and moving exploration of this trouble period in French history. Cecile de France is luminous as the glamorous mother and Julie Depardieu excels as François’ childhood confidante, the witness who finally breaks the silence and reveals the family secret.