Diplomatic Secrets

The film is adapted from the successful 2011 stage play of the same name by French playwright Cyril Gely. The story mainly takes place on the night of August 24, 1944, in the Hotel Meurice on Rue de Rivoli in Paris. This 18th-century hotel is rich in history, and Napoleon's mistress is said to have walked up the secret back staircase. At that time, the hotel served as Choltitz's headquarters. After the Allied forces landed in Normandy in June 1944, they were marching towards Paris. Hitler issued an order to burn Paris. Nuo Ling tried his best to persuade Choltitz, who was responsible for executing this order and had already placed explosives on the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame de Paris and the Seine River Bridge, to give up burning and save the streets, alleys, historical sites, and innocent residents of Paris. This classic political drama is almost entirely played by two characters. On one side is the senior diplomat Ruo Ling, and on the other side is Choltitz who hopes to faithfully perform his duties as a soldier but does not want to be infamous for destroying Paris. The two starring actors are Niels Alestrup ("The Prophet", "The Rhythm My Heart Forgotten") and André Dussollier ("Chansons in Paris" and "The Long Day").