Watch A Self Made Hero

A Self Made Hero is a French film that premiered in 1996, directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Mathieu Kassovitz and Albert Dupontel. The story is set in France in the years after World War II and follows the journey of a young man named Albert Dehousse, played by Mathieu Kassovitz, who decides to reinvent himself and become a hero in his hometown.

Albert is a shy and introverted man, who has always dreamed of greatness and recognition. But he knows that he is not particularly talented, brave or charismatic, and so far he has lived a mediocre and unremarkable life. However, one day he decides to take advantage of the political situation in post-war France and invent a heroic past for himself, claiming to have been a Resistance fighter during the war. He creates an elaborate story, complete with fake medals and certificates, and starts to spread it among his family, friends, and acquaintances.

At first, nobody takes him seriously, but gradually Albert's myth grows, and he becomes a local celebrity, revered for his courage and patriotism. His story even attracts the attention of the media, and he is invited to give speeches and attend public events. However, as his fame rises, Albert's sense of self-doubt and guilt also increases. He knows that his story is a lie, and that he has never done anything heroic or selfless in his life. He starts to feel trapped in his own deception, and fears that he will be exposed as a fraud.

Meanwhile, other characters are also struggling with their own issues and secrets. Among them is a real Resistance fighter, named Jean-Édouard, played by Albert Dupontel, who has returned to his hometown after the war, but finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life. He is haunted by the memories of the atrocities he witnessed and committed, and feels alienated from the society he fought to protect. He also sees through Albert's lies but decides to play along, curious to see how far the impostor will go.

As the plot unfolds, the two men's paths cross, and their interactions lead to unexpected revelations and confrontations. Through their stories, the film explores themes of identity, memory, guilt, and heroism. It also provides a critical reflection on the construction and manipulation of historical narratives, and the role of propaganda and mass media in shaping collective memory and national consciousness.

The film's direction is characterized by a subtle blend of realism and fantasy, using flashbacks, dream sequences, and other stylistic techniques to evoke the subjective experiences of the characters. The performances of the two lead actors are also outstanding, conveying a range of emotions and nuances that make their characters relatable and complex. Mathieu Kassovitz, in particular, excels in portraying the vulnerability and ambiguity of Albert's personality, making him a sympathetic but flawed protagonist.

Overall, A Self Made Hero is a compelling and thought-provoking film, which manages to balance humor and drama, political commentary, and personal storytelling. It offers a unique perspective on a historical period and a human condition that resonate with contemporary issues, such as the manipulation of truth and the search for identity in a post-truth society.