A Love To Hide

(Un amour à taire)

Synopsis:

A young Jewish girl looking to escape the clutches of the Third Reich after seeing her parents and sister brutally slain while attempting to make their way to England is sheltered by an old friend whose status as a member of the “third” sex soon leads the Gestapo pounding on his door as well. Betrayed by a smuggler who sat idly by as her family was casually slaughtered by the SS, terrified Sara flees into the comforting care of childhood summer-vacation chum Jean and his faithful lover Philippe. Though safe for the moment thanks to Jean’s quick-thinking plan to pass her off as a Gallic employee of his family’s laundry business, Sara watches in horror as her homosexual protector is forced into a Nazi labor camp as a tragic result of a bad decision made by Jean’s troublesome brother Jacques.

Quick Thoughts:

This is a beautifully tragic queer war film, showing the harsh realities of France during the German occupation as it affects to both Jews and Homosexuals. There are some great examples of that terrifying time, and even how they found the ability to enjoy themselves; the scene in Groff’s is rather enjoyable – until the truth that homosexuals are now being targeted sinks in. There’s almost a bittersweet element to “A Love To Hide.” Trying to get in favour with his father, Jacques gets his brother arrested and released the next day. Except his name was already down for being gay and it all goes out of control to tragic. While there is no happy ending to this film, there are small tidbits that are appreciative such as Jean’s mother and eventually, his father, finally accepting Jean when he miraculously returns home from the camps. I encourage you to give “A Love To Hide” a watch, but have some tissues ready.