First Look at Moulin: Gilles Lellouche in His Darkest, Most Powerful Role Yet!

Premiering at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, László Nemes’ “Moulin” is one of the most anticipated French releases this fall. TF1 Studio, which is distributing the film, has released a first 50-second teaser—also shown in cinemas—revealing the initial glimpses of Gilles Lellouche in the leading role.

While the director previously explored the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau in his 2015 film “Son of Saul,” which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, he now focuses on the capture of Jean Moulin, the Resistance leader, in June 1943, and his direct confrontation with Klaus Barbie, the head of the Gestapo in Lyon.

Jean Moulin died on July 8, 1943, after more than two weeks of torture by Klaus Barbie. Twenty-one years later, the ashes of the Resistance hero were moved to the Panthéon, an event highlighted by the iconic speech delivered by André Malraux.

Gilles Lellouche’s “Astonishment”

During the film’s press conference at Cannes, Gilles Lellouche discussed his reaction to being cast in the role: “It’s a kind of astonishment, because you think: ‘Why me rather than someone else?’ And then there’s this huge responsibility of carrying on your frail shoulders this illustrious man, the possibility of bringing to life a character who will go beyond just a name on a high school or a few lines in a book… To make him alive. But what legitimacy to make him alive?“

The character of Jean Moulin is also currently featured in another film: “The Battle of Gaulle – I Write Your Name,” portrayed by actor Félix Kysyl.

“Moulin” hits theaters on October 28th.