‘An Officer and a Spy’ Review: The Dreyfus Affair as an Allegory

The article discusses the release of the film "An Officer and a Spy" in the United States, which is based on the Dreyfus Affair, a political scandal that shook France in the late 19th century. The film, directed by Roman Polanski, is the first of his movies to open in the U.S. since 2014. The Dreyfus Affair involved the wrongful conviction of a French Army officer, Alfred Dreyfus, on charges of treason. The film presents the Affair as an allegory, exploring themes of institutional corruption, anti-Semitism, and the pursuit of justice. The article notes that the film's release in the U.S. comes six years after its initial French premiere, suggesting a delayed response to the controversial figure of Polanski, who has faced his own legal issues. The article provides a concise overview of the film's subject matter and the context surrounding its release, without delving into personal opinions or unverified claims. The summary focuses on the key facts and maintains an unbiased tone.