Le Petit Soldat (re-release) 2013

In 1958, amidst the turmoil of the Algerian War, Bruno Forestier, a deserter from the French army, is trying to navigate life in Geneva. Though he lacks strong political beliefs, he finds himself entangled with La Main Rouge, a notorious French terrorist organization, under the guise of a reporter. To demonstrate his loyalty and dispel any suspicions of being a double agent, he receives a chilling order: to assassinate Arthur Palivoda, a radio host advocating for the National Liberation Front (FLN) and supporting Algerian independence. Although Bruno has taken lives before, he hesitates this time, expressing that the task feels too perilous and ultimately declares he lacks the desire to follow through.

In the midst of this turmoil, Bruno crosses paths with Véronica Dreyer, whom he falls deeply in love with, unaware that she is secretly affiliated with the FLN. As the situation escalates, members of La Main Rouge orchestrate a hit-and-run incident involving Bruno’s car, compelling him to consider the assassination as a means to alleviate the pressure so he won’t be sent back to France. Yet, he continues to wrestle with his conscience, wavering on the decision to carry out the killing.

Bruno’s fortunes take a darker turn when he is branded a traitor by the French. He devises a plan to flee to Brazil with Véronica, but fate has other plans as he gets captured and subjected to torture by Algerians who had witnessed him tailing Palivoda. In a moment of desperation, he successfully leaps to freedom from a second-story window where he was detained. His next move involves seeking two diplomatic passports from the French by revealing the location of his captors, but upon learning that the Algerians have already retreated, he begrudgingly accepts the task of killing Palivoda to secure his escape.

Tragedy strikes when the French abducts Véronica, trying to manipulate Bruno further and utilizing brutal interrogation to extract the whereabouts of the Algerian hideout. After succumbing to the pressure and executing Palivoda, Bruno faces an unbearable revelation: Véronica has died. However, in a profound moment of reflection, he resolves not to harbor bitterness over the loss, perhaps finding some semblance of peace amid the chaos that has enveloped his life.