Director/writer Julien Hayet-Kerknawi’s second film, The Last Front, is a suspenseful thriller set at the dawn of World War I. In 1914, a horde of Imperial German troops, led by Lt. Laurentz (Joe Anderson) and his superior officer and father, Maximilian von Rauch (Philippe Brenninkmeyer), are on the march from Belgium to France. In the small village of Flanders, we are introduced to the close-knit working-class Lambert family. Led by Father Leonard (Iain Glen), with son Adrien (James Downie) and daughter Johanna (Emma Dupont). A forbidden romance blooms between young Adrien and the girl next door, Louise Janssen (Sasha Luss). An ordinary day on the farm takes a tragic turn when the troops arrive on their doorstep and their world is turned upside down.
The Last Front is a timely lesson about the fragility of life and why we shouldn’t take things for granted. Everything can change in an instant. Hayet-Kerknawi’s direction brings the viewer on a riveting journey about the bonds of family and the lengths we go to protect them.
The screenplay by Hayet-Kerknawi and Kate Wood is heartbreaking and exhilarating. The narrative they have crafted is full of characters with distinct, authentic voices. The devastating impact imposed by the Imperial German Army is palpable, with the power of the human spirit on full display here.
Led by Lt. Laurentz and Maximilian von Rauch, Imperial German soldiers march into the Flanders countryside in The Last Front.
“…An ordinary day on the farm takes a tragic turn when troops arrive…”
Filmed in Belgium, location managers Pebbles Dobbelaere and Luk De Boeck immerse the audience in historically accurate and beautiful locations, including the Beguinage in Lier, set as the village where the Lambert family lives. The viewer is also treated to a visual feast in the hauntingly beautiful Kluisbos forest. Director of photography, Xavier Van D’Huynslager, and production designer, Wilbert Van Dorp, make the most of these spectacular settings as the camera gracefully sweeps throughout these vast landscapes.
Action sequences are captivating thanks to the talents of SFX and weapons supervisor Toon Sintobin, who also worked on the 2018 television adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and is on top of his game here. Costumes by Catherine Van Bree are meticulously researched, while Dieter Allaerts and David Verdure’s editing keeps the narrative progressing. This is all backed by the original score by Frederik van de Moortel that is both anxiety-inducing and heroic.
Iain Glen gives a commanding performance as Leonard, a grief-stricken father who must persevere against the evil that threatens everything he holds dear. Joe Anderson’s portrayal of Lt. Laurentz is menacing and disturbing, showing a terrifying disregard for humanity and a deep thirst for violence. The Last Front is a painful depiction of the destruction of war that will leave you haunted long after the credits stop rolling. Highly recommended and worth every minute.
"…will leave you haunted long after the credits stop rolling"
