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Il était une fois en France (Once upon a Time in France [1]) is a series of graphic novels by Sylvain Vallée (drawing), Fabien Nury (story) and Delf (colours), published by Glénat Editions between 2007 and 2012. It includes six volumes.
It tells a fictionalized version of the life of Joseph Joanovici, Romanian Jewish scrap metal merchant who became one of the richest men in France and who was during the Second World War both close to the French Gestapo and a primary source of funds for the French Resistance.
A warning at the beginning of each volume points out that the story liberally mixes historical fact, supposition and deliberate invention.
Summary
editThe rhythm of the narration is set by numerous flashbacks.[2]
This work tells the tale of Joseph Joanovici, born in Chișinău in 1905, who died at Clichy in 1965. Become an orphan, he moved to France and became a scrap metal merchant. During the Second World War, he declined an opportunity to go to the United States but chose to remain despite the dangers that surrounded him because he was Jewish.[3] To survive, he played a troubled game with the Nazi occupier[3] and made a fortune.[4] At the same time, he financed the Resistance network, Honneur et Police.[5] As the Allies gained ground, Joanovici sought to hide his collaboration.[5] After the Liberation of France, Joanovici sacrificed "one by one his fellow travellers.[6] and was hunted by judge Legentil, who saw in him a criminal.[4] A trial leads to five year of detention, then Joanovici moved to Lozère.[4] The narration ends "on a funereal note" and a series of revelations.[4]
Characters
edit- Joseph Joanovici: originally from Kichinev, became an orphan in a pogrom. He is illiterate,[2] buys and sells scrap metal.[4] and became "godfather of the underworld".[2] He"cultivates paradox".[2] He plays an ambivalent rôle, with ties to the Gestapo and the Resistance, as well as the rescue of other Jews.[4] Under the Occupation, Joanovici adopted the pseudonym of Spass.[7]
- Eva: born in Kichinev, she married Joanovici; they had two girls. When Eva died, the girls became estranged from their father.[4]
- Lucie Schmidt, nicknamed Lucie-fer: assistant and companion of Joanovici, loyal to the end.[6]
- Robert Scaffa, a young Resistance fighter killed by his "comrades", including Joanovici.[7] His mother demanded justice for his death: and so began the investigation of Judge Legentil.[7]
- Judge Legentil: "sworn enemy of Joanovici, who relentlessly pursues him.[4] This character is also presented in an ambivalent light.[2]
Further reading
editReyns-Chikuma, Chris (2014-04-03). "Mémoire et histoire dans un roman graphique en six volumes: double jeu, infotainment, obsession française?". Modern & Contemporary France. 22 (2): 207–229. doi:10.1080/09639489.2013.842206. ISSN 0963-9489.
References
edit- ^ literally:"There Was a Time in France"; however the "Il était une fois" wording is how French fairy tales begin
- ^ a b c d e M. Antoniutti (November 8, 2007). "Il était une fois en France 1. L'Empire de Monsieur Joseph" [Once Upon a Time In France: 1. The Empire of Mister Joseph]. BD Gest'.
- ^ a b E. Flandin (November 20, 2008). "Il était une fois en France 2. Le vol noir des corbeaux" [Once Upon a time in France: 2. The Black Flight of the Crows]. BD Gest'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Aurélia Vertaldi; Olivier Delcroix (26 October 2012). "Il était une fois en France, l'inexorable chute de Joseph". Le Figaro.
- ^ a b L. Gianati (October 25, 2010). "Il était une fois en France 4. Aux armes, citoyens!" [Once Upon A Time In France: 4. To As, Citizens!]. BD Gest'.
- ^ a b S. Salin (November 5, 2012). "Il était une fois en France 6. La Terre Promise". BD Gest'.
- ^ a b c D. Baran (December 1, 2012). "Il était une fois en France 5. Le petit juge de Melun". BD Gest'.
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