Der Passierschein

Paris, March 3, 1942. Continental, a German film company managed by Dr. Greven, has been producing French films since 1940. It presents a dilemma for French employees. Is it possible to work there “between the wolf’s jaws, there where it can’t bite you” as if nothing has happened, or is it better to refuse to collaborate and leave?
Woven from their memories, the film retraces the trajectories of two men whose paths intersect.
Jean Devaivre, assistant director, makes a point of getting a job at Continental with the ulterior motive of masking his Resistance activities. He’s a man of action, reckless, impulsive and daring.
Jean Aurenche, a screenwriter and poet, strives with all his might to avoid working for the Germans. Self-contained, insatiable, curious and torn between three mistresses, he’s a man who takes action with his pen, with his words.
A dozen other characters also come to life in this vision of Occupied France where some people fight back, while others collaborate. No matter their bias, everyone struggles against hunger, cold and restrictions just in order to survive. The film is dedicated to everyone that went through this experience.