Set in 1914, amidst the early months of World War I, The Last Front takes us to a lesser-known period of history. Director Julien Hayet-Kerknawi brings us to Flanders, Belgium, to witness the horrific “Rape of Belgium” as invading German forces unleash violence upon innocent civilians.
We follow farmer Leonard Lambert and his family, whose quiet lives are shattered with the arrival of the brutal Lieutenant Laurentz and his regiment. Though not a large production, Hayet-Kerknawi’s debut feature aims high. With its focus on ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, the film spotlights a tragic chapter that has faded from memory.
While an imperfect work, strong central performances help elevate the dramatic tale. Iain Glen and up-and-coming actress Sasha Luss anchor the film with grounded and feeling portrayals of parents fighting to protect their children from the ravages of war.
Flanders 1914
At the onset of World War I, farmer Leonard Lambert...
We follow farmer Leonard Lambert and his family, whose quiet lives are shattered with the arrival of the brutal Lieutenant Laurentz and his regiment. Though not a large production, Hayet-Kerknawi’s debut feature aims high. With its focus on ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, the film spotlights a tragic chapter that has faded from memory.
While an imperfect work, strong central performances help elevate the dramatic tale. Iain Glen and up-and-coming actress Sasha Luss anchor the film with grounded and feeling portrayals of parents fighting to protect their children from the ravages of war.
Flanders 1914
At the onset of World War I, farmer Leonard Lambert...
- 8/10/2024
- by Arash Nahandian
- Gazettely
Iain Glen, Ser Jorah Mormont in Game Of Thrones, is feisty as ever as a family man facing down the tumultuous start of World War I in The Last Front by Belgian filmmaker Julien Hayet-Kerknawi, the first release by his new indie label Enigma. It opens on 250 screens.
Metrograph Pictures is out with Good One, its first title since expanding into theatrical releasing under the leadership of former A24 executive David Laub. The debut feature by India Donaldson has great reviews at 96% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes and starts in limited release on three screens in New York and LA.
The theatrical market is pretty complicated right now and original independent films have fewer champions. These new indie distributors — and there are others — see a necessity and a business proposition in nurturing them.
“There is still very much an audience for these movies when they are really good,” Laub tells Deadline.
Metrograph Pictures is out with Good One, its first title since expanding into theatrical releasing under the leadership of former A24 executive David Laub. The debut feature by India Donaldson has great reviews at 96% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes and starts in limited release on three screens in New York and LA.
The theatrical market is pretty complicated right now and original independent films have fewer champions. These new indie distributors — and there are others — see a necessity and a business proposition in nurturing them.
“There is still very much an audience for these movies when they are really good,” Laub tells Deadline.
- 8/9/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The Last Front
Director Julien Hayet-Kerknawi's war film, The Last Front, is set in a small Belgian village during the first days of World War I. Widower Leonard Lambert (Iain Glen) tends his farm and looks after his children. Tension mounts between him and his son, Adrien (James Downie), who has entered into a love affair with Louise Janssen (Sasha Luss), a young woman outside of his social class. Leonard warns him that he's asking Louise to make the same sacrifice his mother made, and stresses the hardship of life on a farm that grinds a woman down. He pleads with Adrien to let her go, but the pair are committed to one another. Meanwhile, two German officers, a father (Philippe Brenninkmeyer) and son (Joe Anderson), are locked in their own tense relationship, and when the two families cross paths, the impulsive young men ignite a spark that engulfs Leonard,...
Director Julien Hayet-Kerknawi's war film, The Last Front, is set in a small Belgian village during the first days of World War I. Widower Leonard Lambert (Iain Glen) tends his farm and looks after his children. Tension mounts between him and his son, Adrien (James Downie), who has entered into a love affair with Louise Janssen (Sasha Luss), a young woman outside of his social class. Leonard warns him that he's asking Louise to make the same sacrifice his mother made, and stresses the hardship of life on a farm that grinds a woman down. He pleads with Adrien to let her go, but the pair are committed to one another. Meanwhile, two German officers, a father (Philippe Brenninkmeyer) and son (Joe Anderson), are locked in their own tense relationship, and when the two families cross paths, the impulsive young men ignite a spark that engulfs Leonard,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Paul Risker
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
"Your memory follows me, as constant as my shadow..." Enigma Releasing has unveiled a trailer for a WWI survival thriller titled The Last Front, made by filmmaker Julien Hayet-Kerknawi. This World War I film is set in Belgium and was shot on location in Belgium in 2022, though all the performances are in English. Amidst the war's chaos, a grieving father turns hero, leading villagers to safety while evading the relentless enemy driven by vengeance. Set in a small Belgian village at the start of WWI in 1914. With its compelling portrayal of familial bonds, love amidst chaos, and the indomitable human spirit, The Last Front promises to immerse audiences in a gripping tale of survival, love, and the enduring impact of war on both individuals & communities. Starring an international cast including Iain Glen, Sasha Luss, Joe Anderson, James Downie, Emma Dupont, David Calder, and Julian Kostov. This looks an intense, a...
- 7/5/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Filmmaker Julien Hayet-Kerknawi on Monday announced the launch of Enigma Releasing, a Belgium-based distribution company dedicated to bringing high-quality European indie films to U.S. theaters, and vice versa.
The company’s first release will be The Last Front, a WWI action thriller co-written and directed by Hayet-Kerknawi, which is slated to hit theaters nationwide on August 9. Going forward, Enigma intends to acquire and shepherd other new theatrical films, aiming for 4-5 film releases a year.
Starring Games of Thrones‘ Iain Glen, The Last Front is set in a Belgian village during the tumultuous start of World War I, watching as the Lambert family find themselves thrust into the heart of the conflict. At the center is Leonard Lambert (Glen), a devoted husband and father who grapples with protecting his family amidst the chaos of war as German forces advance to their village. Amidst the war, a tender love...
The company’s first release will be The Last Front, a WWI action thriller co-written and directed by Hayet-Kerknawi, which is slated to hit theaters nationwide on August 9. Going forward, Enigma intends to acquire and shepherd other new theatrical films, aiming for 4-5 film releases a year.
Starring Games of Thrones‘ Iain Glen, The Last Front is set in a Belgian village during the tumultuous start of World War I, watching as the Lambert family find themselves thrust into the heart of the conflict. At the center is Leonard Lambert (Glen), a devoted husband and father who grapples with protecting his family amidst the chaos of war as German forces advance to their village. Amidst the war, a tender love...
- 6/24/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sales slate includes A Stitch In Time.
Game Of Thrones star Iain Glen and Sasha Luss, star of Luc Besson action thriller Anna, will play the leads in The Coven Cannes sales title and war epic The Last Front.
The drama recounts a family’s resolve to protect their village during the German invasion of Belgium in the First World War as a peaceful farmer is driven to spearhead a resistance.
This film is in the final stages of post and marks the feature director debut of director Julien Kerknawi who said, “This film pays homage to the extraordinary strength...
Game Of Thrones star Iain Glen and Sasha Luss, star of Luc Besson action thriller Anna, will play the leads in The Coven Cannes sales title and war epic The Last Front.
The drama recounts a family’s resolve to protect their village during the German invasion of Belgium in the First World War as a peaceful farmer is driven to spearhead a resistance.
This film is in the final stages of post and marks the feature director debut of director Julien Kerknawi who said, “This film pays homage to the extraordinary strength...
- 5/12/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Producers earmark August production start in Belgium.
Ingenious has come on to finance First World War thriller The Last Front, which Red Sea Media has introduced to virtual Cannes buyers.
Roman Kopelevich has scheduled a presentation in the Us agency-led A Demain market on Tuesday.
Paradox House and Ingenious are financing the film, which has been earmarked for an August start in Belgium and stars Sasha Luss, Joe Anderson, and Liam Cunningham.
Julien Kerknawi directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kate Wood, and the producers are Martin Dewitte and Virginia Hayet.
The Last Front centres on a man in...
Ingenious has come on to finance First World War thriller The Last Front, which Red Sea Media has introduced to virtual Cannes buyers.
Roman Kopelevich has scheduled a presentation in the Us agency-led A Demain market on Tuesday.
Paradox House and Ingenious are financing the film, which has been earmarked for an August start in Belgium and stars Sasha Luss, Joe Anderson, and Liam Cunningham.
Julien Kerknawi directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kate Wood, and the producers are Martin Dewitte and Virginia Hayet.
The Last Front centres on a man in...
- 6/23/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Liam Cunningham and Sasha Luss have signed on for “The Last Front,” a Belgian-produced World War I movie.
Cunningham is best-known to legions of “Game of Thrones” fans as Davos Seaworth, but the Irish actor will swap the blood-stained battle for the Iron Throne for wartime Belgium. Luss, who took the titular role in Luc Besson’s latest thriller, “Anna,” will also star in the movie.
Julien Kerknawi will helm the picture, his feature directorial debut. It is adapted from his short “A Broken Man.” The short was shot in Flemish, but the movie will be in English. Harald House is producing, and its Kristian Van der Heyden will produce alongside Virginie Hayet.
“The Last Front” will follow a widower farmer-cum-war hero, Leonard (Cunningham) and his family as they are thrown into the midst of a war they do not understand. It is set during the first days of the...
Cunningham is best-known to legions of “Game of Thrones” fans as Davos Seaworth, but the Irish actor will swap the blood-stained battle for the Iron Throne for wartime Belgium. Luss, who took the titular role in Luc Besson’s latest thriller, “Anna,” will also star in the movie.
Julien Kerknawi will helm the picture, his feature directorial debut. It is adapted from his short “A Broken Man.” The short was shot in Flemish, but the movie will be in English. Harald House is producing, and its Kristian Van der Heyden will produce alongside Virginie Hayet.
“The Last Front” will follow a widower farmer-cum-war hero, Leonard (Cunningham) and his family as they are thrown into the midst of a war they do not understand. It is set during the first days of the...
- 9/25/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
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