Monsieur Batignole 2002
Set in the grim winter of 1942 Paris under Nazi occupation, Gérard Jugnot's Monsieur Batignole (2002) crafts a poignant blend of comedy and drama through the unlikely alliance between a selfish grocer and a young Jewish boy.
Director: Gérard Jugnot
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Monsieur Batignole (2002) about?
During the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1942, a selfish grocer named Edmond Batignole discovers a Jewish boy hiding in his newly acquired apartment after his family is arrested by collaborators. As he shelters the child, Batignole's life shifts from indifference to defiance, forcing him to confront the cost of complicity.
Who directed Monsieur Batignole?
Monsieur Batignole was directed by Gérard Jugnot, a French actor and filmmaker known for blending humor with serious historical themes.
Who stars in Monsieur Batignole?
The film stars Gérard Jugnot in the title role, alongside Jules Sitruk as young Simon Bernstein, Michèle Garcia, Jean-Paul Rouve, and Alexia Portal.
Is Monsieur Batignole (2002) worth watching?
Though not widely rated, Monsieur Batignole stands out for its intelligent mix of comedy and drama, anchored by Jugnot's nuanced performance. Fans of wartime human stories and character-driven films will find its quiet heroism compelling and thought-provoking.
How long is Monsieur Batignole?
Monsieur Batignole has a runtime of 100 minutes.
About Monsieur Batignole (2002) — A grocer's unexpected courage under Nazi-occupied Paris
Set in the grim winter of 1942 Paris under Nazi occupation, Gérard Jugnot's Monsieur Batignole (2002) crafts a poignant blend of comedy and drama through the unlikely alliance between a selfish grocer and a young Jewish boy. When the Bernstein family is torn from their home by collaborators, their son Simon slips free and returns to find the apartment now occupied by Edmond Batignole, whose future son-in-law's greed has redrawn the map of guilt and innocence. What begins as reluctant hospitality evolves into quiet courage as Batignole hides the orphan, risking everything for a child he once barely knew. The film balances biting humor with heartrending stakes, painting a portrait of ordinary people confronting extraordinary moral choices.
Monsieur Batignole is a cinematic mirror held up to wartime Paris—small gestures of resistance ripple through one man's conscience, revealing how decency can emerge where least expected.