But for Henri Marre (Swann Arlaud), age 49, it’s an opportunity. Taking his self-published manifestos, ’Notre Salut’ (’Our Salvation’), he offers his services to the new France, and his talents and lack of morality are recognised and appreciated.

This ambitious second fiction is a personal work for Marre, whose previous films include 2021 Cannes Critics Week feature Zero Fucks Given, co-directed with Julie Lecoustre, and the short Castle To Castle, which earned some prizes at Locarno Fest in 2018.

The film consists of real-life letters between Henri and his semi-estranged wife, Paulette (Sandrine Blancke), the director’s own great-grandparents.

Marre does not let his ancestors off lightly, offering a dispassionate account of what Henri is prepared to do for self-preservation.

The film touches on the same ‘banality of evil’ themes as Jonathan Glazer’s far superior Oscar winning Zone Of Interest.

Early on, there is a revelatory scene in which Vichy officials debate how to describe their relationship with the Nazis. Some favor “co-operation,” while others opt for “collaboration.”

But there are too many dull scenes about Henri and colleagues sitting through meetings about work efficiency and procurement processes. Henri’s administrative duties include dealing with a request to provide fuel and trucks to facilitate the transport of Jewish women and children.