Based on a true story - 

In Nazi-occupied France, a young French girl’s life is up-ended when she falls in love with a Czech Nazi officer, sparking a series of events that test her courage, resilience, and ultimately, her capacity for forgiveness.

WGA REGISTERED

©2020

OFFICIAL SELECTION - CANNES INTERNATIONAL CINEMA FESTIVAL 2022

WINNER BEST TELEPLAY - NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL AND SCREENPLAY COMPETITION - 2021

SEMI-FINALIST - FILMMATIC TV PILOT AWARDS - 2021

SYNOPSIS:

Romeo and Juliet in Nazi-occupied Paris 

The story begins on Suzanne Liefooghe’s 14th birthday in 1939. France has already declared war on Germany, but fighting has not yet commenced. Suzanne celebrates her birthday at their country house just outside of Paris with cousins, pregnant sister Ginette, her husband Jean, and her parents, Emile, and Blanche.  Emile is a non-threatening man who lets his wife rule with an iron fist. Blanche is a conservative, uptight Parisian socialite who worries constantly about her public image. Suzanne is a typical teenager, innocent and naïve, defiant, and willful in the eyes of her mother, but the apple of her father’s eye.

When the Germans invade France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg, the family is forced to flee to Lourdes where Cousin Etienne has a factory and an apartment.

En route, the Liefooghe’s encounter refugees, French Military units, and enemy bombers. They take refuge at Chateau Marouatte in Dordogne where they meet other refugees who are later killed as they drive through a mountain pass. The Liefooghe’s narrowly escape and complete the journey to Lourdes.

While in Lourdes, Ginette gives birth to Francoise, who is baptized at the Grotto of Bernadette before she and her husband leave for the safety of unoccupied France, leaving Suzanne alone to deal with Blanche.

Liefooghe’s return to Paris after the Germans ensure the French people, they’ll be safe.

Emile discovers his law practice has been destroyed, his Jewish partner… gone, his clients… disappeared. They have no income. Blanche takes work as a seamstress. Suzanne gets a job as a sales clerk at Hollande’s Boutique where she meets IDA (17), a Jewish girl whom she befriends and protects from continual harassment by the Nazis.

Suzanne slowly gets comfortable with life under occupation, even beginning to learn a little German. She is invited to a German Exposition, which she is required to attend as an invited guest… She meets her Nazi admirer HANS, a customer from the Boutique. Blanche and Emile follow her to keep watch. Blanche is violently opposed to her getting involved with the Nazis.

The war progresses. Paris prepares to close down for the summer holiday. Blanche sends Suzanne to Bois-le-Rois (The King’s Woods) north of Paris for two weeks at a country inn owned by a family friend.

While at the inn, Suzanne meets Bruno (19), a Nazi Communications Officer on leave. They are attracted to one another, but Suzanne’s current age (15) is an obstacle. The Innkeeper is sympathetic and gives her permission to pursue the relationship under the guise that it is good for his business.

Suzanne and Bruno spend romantic days on the river, picnicking on a small island, and at Chateau de Fontainebleau. She learns that he is Czech and is being forced to fight for the Nazis. Suzanne falls madly in love, but Bruno remains a gentleman and respects her young virtue.

On her final night at the inn, Monsieur Hervier arranges a quiet candlelit dinner for them, complete with an accordion player. Bruno gives her a photo necklace of himself and declares his love for her. The following day, Emile and Blanche arrive by train to collect her and take her back to Paris.  They have lunch at the inn and the conversation turns to the German’s. Suzanne is offended at the way her mother talks about them, raising Blanche’s suspicions. Suzanne asks to be excused for one last bicycle ride to the chateau before they leave. Suzanne and Bruno have just a moment together and make plans to meet secretly in Paris.