A Man of his Time, a film by Emmanuel Marre

This 2026 biography tells the story of the filmmaker’s grandfather, who worked under Marshal Petain’s Vichy government in France during Nazi occupation. Henri Marre (Swann Arlaud, flawlessly portraying not a “collaborator” but a person) is an efficiency maven, and when we first see him he’s pushing his management book Notre Salut (Our Salvation) into the hands of leaders in the Vichy government. An ardent nationalist, Marre wants to see his systems in place so the country will be well-managed, not only during the occupation but afterwards, when he envisions return of an emperor, not the chaos of a democratic system. 

He doesn’t get much traction as long as the departments are staffed with his more socially-adept rivals, but as the Nazis tighten their grip, taking laborers to Germany and requisitioning petrol and other supplies, these other men are either dismissed, or quit the regime of their own accord. Soon he is taking orders from, and having cordial lunches with, his Nazi supervisors. Before his wife and children join him in southern France, through voiceover exchange of letters between Marre and Paulette, we learn that he burned through her large inheritance in pursuit of his schemes. His marriage, already rocky, grows fraught as she watches his service to the occupation deepen. 

Use of language is chilling: he dictates a telegram to his assistant, including the "removal of 835 Jews." She pushes back: "Removal"? He tries "Relocation" but again she resists. "Transfer," he decides, as though this is nothing but a shipment of goods. He's already been made aware of transport of Jews in cattle cars - he challenged a clerk's requisition of straw and chamber pots, and the young man informs him the Jews are packed in so tight in cattle cars, they need these items for sanitation. Knowing his bosses will not approve this expenditure, Marre agrees to call it something else.

We see him outlining the importance of obedience and duty, respect for one’s superiors, and the value of propaganda as a tool for unity. He coaches a group who will be positioned along the parade route as Marshal Petain attends a ceremony in their city. They are told to shout, “Long live the Marshal!” but he continues to urge, “Louder!” 

And yet, we see the whole man – how deeply he believes in what he’s doing, his sincere admiration for efficiency, and how collaboration and ambition gradually corrupt him – when he underpays for a shipment of food he then resells, he instructs that his 15% fee is part of the price. This film offers a clear-eyed look at why people worked with their occupiers, and one cannot help noticing parallels to the present day.