Fake News, Real Courage: Why 'Le Faux Soir' Is a Slow Burn That Hits Hard

When Truth Is Weaponized

Picture this: You're a poet, you're a dissident, and you've got the pen to match your passion. In the world of 'Le Faux Soir', Marc Aubrion (Arieh Worthalter) isn't just another angry citizen — he's a revolutionary with a printing press and a mission. This isn't your typical wartime thriller; it's a meditation on how the press, in all its forms, can be both weapon and shield.

Based on true events from 1943 Belgium, the film follows Marc as he is recruited by the Belgian Resistance to pull off something unprecedented: printing a fake edition of 'Le Soir', a newspaper that's been co-opted by Nazi propaganda. The twist? It's not about deception for personal gain, but about truth reaching those who've lost it. The result is a two-hour-and-change journey that feels more like a historical exercise in journalism than a fast-paced thriller.

Director Michaël R. Roskam has crafted something deliberately slow and methodical, which, in the context of a film exploring media manipulation, makes perfect sense. He's not rushing to judgment — he's showing us the process, from the technicalities of printing to the emotional weight of choosing what stories to tell.

"Truth must be told, no matter where it leads," says one of the characters, and in a time when fake news is an omnipresent concern, it's a sentiment that feels remarkably relevant today.

A Heist with a Mission

'Le Faux Soir' isn't your average heist film — at least not in the traditional sense. There's no flashy car chase or high-stakes robbery. Instead, it's a quiet, meticulous operation involving type-setting, press runs, and logistics that might seem tedious to casual viewers but are deeply meaningful to those who understand the power of print.

What makes this story resonate is how it mirrors the current digital landscape — we're drowning in information, some true, some not. And just as Marc and his crew had to carefully plan their fake newspaper's distribution, today's journalists face the same challenge: getting real news past the gatekeepers of misinformation.

The film's pacing might test your patience — and I'll admit, it took me a while to settle into the rhythm. But once you do, you realize that every scene is building towards a bigger picture: the importance of media literacy, of knowing how information spreads, and of fighting back with facts when truth gets buried.

Worthalter's Performance: A Surly Revolutionary

Arieh Worthalter delivers a performance that's equal parts angry and poetic. His Marc isn't just an idealist; he's a real person, frustrated by the limitations of peaceful protest and hungry for a more impactful way to fight back.

Worthalter's Marc has a certain surly charm, much like the character he played in 'The Goldman Case' — someone who uses words as weapons. Here, those weapons are his poetry and eventually his printing press. It's a performance that draws you in with its sincerity and rawness, even when the film's pace is glacial.

His transformation from writer to publisher is seamless, and his motivation — not to enrich himself but to share truth — gives weight to the narrative. The film doesn't shy away from the risks involved, either, making Marc's journey all the more compelling.

The Irony of Propaganda

What strikes me most about 'Le Faux Soir' is how it turns the concept of propaganda on its head. In this film, the Resistance doesn't just oppose Nazi ideology — they weaponize the very medium that Nazi propaganda uses to spread fear and control. It's a clever reversal, a way to use state-controlled media to fight back against state control.

But the irony deepens when you realize that 'Le Soir' (the real-life paper) is a production company for this film. This makes it a self-aware meta-commentary — the very medium used to spread truth becomes part of the narrative, adding an extra layer of complexity to the film's message.

In today's world, where social media and digital platforms can be manipulated for political ends, the lessons in 'Le Faux Soir' feel more urgent than ever. It reminds us that information isn't neutral — it's shaped by those who choose what gets told and how it gets told.

A Timeless Call to Action

While 'Le Faux Soir' is rooted in history, its message about the power of truth in the face of misinformation feels remarkably timely. The Resistance's effort to create a fake newspaper to counter Nazi propaganda isn't just a historical anecdote — it's a blueprint for how media can be used responsibly and strategically.

The film is not without its flaws — the slow pacing and dense exposition may deter some viewers, but I argue that this is precisely the point. 'Le Faux Soir' isn't meant to be a thrilling rollercoaster ride; it's meant to make you think, reflect, and maybe even reconsider how you consume news.

In a time where truth is weaponized, 'Le Faux Soir' offers not just a story but a call to arms — one that asks us to become more conscious consumers of information. It's a quiet rebellion against misinformation, and it's a powerful one.