The Patriots (French film)
The Patriots () is a French motion picture released in 1994 and directed by Éric Rochant. The storyline follows a young Frenchman who is enlisted by the Mossad to undertake intelligence operations within France and the United States. This film was part of the selection at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Plot
Ariel Brenner departs from France to Israel, where he becomes an agent for the Mossad. After completing his training, he is assigned to a mission in Paris aimed at a French nuclear scientist connected to Middle Eastern nuclear facility projects (a dramatized version of the Osirak incident). Ariel manages to gain the scientist’s cooperation through coercion and by enlisting the help of a call-girl named Marie-Claude. Meanwhile, the Arab counterpart rejects collaboration and is subsequently eliminated. Following these events, Israeli forces conduct an airstrike on the nuclear plant, raising concerns among American allies.
In Washington, D.C., Jeremy Pelman, an American intelligence officer (a character inspired by Jonathan Pollard), shows sympathy toward Israel and provides Ariel with classified information. Due to lax security measures, Pelman comes under suspicion and attempts to defect; however, Israel repatriates him to prevent diplomatic fallout. Upon returning to Israel, Ariel crosses paths with Marie-Claude at the airport, which triggers further plot developments.
Cast
- Richard Masur – Jeremy Pelman
- Yvan Attal – Ariel Brenner
- Allen Garfield – Eagleman
- Yossi Banai – Yossi
- Nancy Allen – Catherine Pelman
- Maurice Bénichou – Yuri
- Emmanuelle Devos – Rachel
- Hippolyte Girardot – Daniel
- Moshe Ivgy – Oron
- Sandrine Kiberlain – Marie-Claude
- Bernard Le Coq – Bill Haydon
- Christine Pascal – Laurence
- Jean-François Stévenin – Remy Prieur
- Éva Darlan – Madame Prieur
- Dan Toren – Ran Ostrovitch
- Myriem Roussel – Laurence's friend