Riverbank Cinema Presents: Diplomacy

Dir: Volker Schlondorff, France, Germany; Year: 2014; Running Time: 88 mins; Cert: Club

Starring: Andre Dussollier, Niels Arestrup, Burghart Klaussner, Robert Stadlober, Charlie Nelson, Jean Marc Roulot, Stefan Wilkening, Thomas Arnold, Lucas Prisor, Attila Borlan, Marie Dompnier

Language: French, German

Towards the end of World War II, General Dietrick von Choltitz, the governor of Nazi-occupied Paris, receives an order to destroy the city if the Nazis lose it to Allied forces.

In this riveting adaptation of the stage play, the great Volker Schlöndorff has created a psychologically elaborate game of political manners between two highly contrasting characters played by two of France’s greatest stage and screen actors André Dussollier and Niels Arestrup. While Choltitz entrenches himself behind his duty to unquestioningly obey all military orders, Nordling tries everything he can to appeal to reason and humanity and prevent the senseless destruction of the beloved ‘City of Light.’  

“Diplomacy” is deeply connected with its moment in history, yet resounds with timeliness in its study of ideologies and the necessary search for common ground. 

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