A Belgian farmer fights to save his family and fellow villagers from a ruthless German soldier at the dawn of World War I. The Last Front depicts the horrifying slaughter of innocent civilians with frank realism and a poetic contrast to their gentle, bucolic lives. Director/co-writer Julien Hayet-Kerknawi channels Terrence Malick as we hear both a torn protagonist and his cruel adversary’s inner thoughts. War forces peaceful men to violence while also feeding the worst instincts of a merciless invader. The Last Front doesn’t quite succeed in every facet of its artistic intent, but is a powerfully emotional experience.
