A two-part biopic of French leader Charles de Gaulle has become a summer cinema hit in his homeland, delivering a strong dose of patriotism through one of the rare figures to unite the country.
The twin blockbusters from diplomat-turned-director Antonin Baudry focus on de Gaulle's dogged and often lonely fight to resist the Nazi occupation of France, as well as his manoeuvring to be recognised as the nation's leader-in-exile by the Allies.
The tale of bravery in adversity and victory against the odds delivers an emotional lift for a fractious nation that celebrates de Gaulle as a political giant who helped temper France's war guilt and birth its modern republic.
"In a time of political, economic, and institutional crises, it's a film that does you good: you come out of it with a feeling of pride," said historian Pierre Manenti, a specialist on de Gaulle.
The first part of the epic 160-minute films premiered at the Cannes film festival this year where it contrasted with the darker tone of several other war-time dramas about fascism.
