WWII Media Hack: Belgian Resistance's Daring 'Fake News'

Belgian filmmaker Michaël R. Roskam is set to close the 74th San Sebastián Film Festival's official selection with his new film, 'Le Faux Soir.' The movie will receive its European premiere at the festival, following its initial debut at Toronto 2026. The film delves into a unique chapter of the Belgian resistance during World War II.

'Le Faux Soir' recreates a clandestine operation from 1943 where resistance fighters ingeniously used the press as a weapon against the Nazi occupation. The story is based on Marie Istas's book, 'Le "Faux" Soir, 9 novembre 1943,' and centers on the Nazis' use of the national newspaper 'Le Soir' for propaganda.

To counter this, a group of resistance fighters devised a bold plan: printing a counterfeit edition that satirized the occupiers. This remarkable event is recognized by some historians as the inception of the media hack. The film features a notable cast, including Arieh Worthalter and Mélanie Thierry.