Antonin Baudry, Director of De Gaulle, on Pathé’s Next Big French Blockbuster

Antonin Baudry’s “De Gaulle: Résistance” opens a two-part historical saga about Charles de Gaulle’s wartime years, positioning itself as Pathé’s latest large-scale French event film after the success of “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers.” The film premiered out of competition at Cannes and was warmly received, with critics praising its scope, energy, and fresh perspective on World War II. Simon Abkarian’s portrayal of de Gaulle has drawn strong attention, alongside the film’s focus on the general’s difficult relationship with Winston Churchill and the political struggle that shaped France’s future.

Released in French theaters on Wednesday, the big-budget production has started strongly at the box office and is expected to become one of the summer’s biggest local hits. A second film, “The Sovereign Edge,” is scheduled for release on July 3, extending the story further into the wartime period. Baudry, who previously directed the submarine thriller “The Wolf’s Call,” brings to the project a background in diplomacy and international affairs, which he says helped shape his approach to history, power, and resistance.

In the interview, Baudry said his interest in de Gaulle came from the image of a lonely man who turned an improbable dream into reality. He was drawn to the idea of a leader who stood against surrender at a time when many believed capitulation was unavoidable. He also said that after years in the United States, returning to France made him more aware of how strongly American cultural influence had shaped French storytelling and public memory.

Baudry argues that World War II remains endlessly compelling because it marked a turning point in global power, especially the growing dependence of Britain on the United States and Europe’s diminishing control over its own narrative. He wanted to present the war from a non-British and non-American perspective, and said international viewers responded to that angle as something new. The film also explores the moral dimension of war, including the reality of genocide, while contrasting de Gaulle’s and Churchill’s more romantic view of history with the more pragmatic American approach.

The director stressed that the French resistance was not only led by major political figures but also by ordinary people, including students and young people who played a decisive role. He highlighted a November 11 demonstration by high school students at the Arc de Triomphe as a pivotal but underrecognized moment in the resistance. He also emphasized the importance of African forces and colonial figures such as Félix Éboué in France’s recovery, arguing that these contributions are often left out of school history.

Baudry said Simon Abkarian was the obvious choice for de Gaulle because the role demanded an actor with authority, restraint, and emotional depth. He also praised Simon Russell Beale as Churchill. With a reported budget of around €70 million, the film includes dozens of sets, hundreds of actors, tanks, and large-scale battle scenes. Baudry said he wanted the movie to feel accessible and exciting on first viewing while still offering deeper layers on repeat viewing. He added that its themes of youth, resistance, and collective action feel especially relevant in a world shaped by uncertainty, technological change, and global instability.