L’Affaire Farewell

Mar 28

Apr 11

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Courtesy of NeoClassics Films
France • 2008 • in French, English & Russian w/ English subtitles • 98 min • Not Rated

In 1981, Colonel Grigoriev of the KGB (real name - Vladimir Vetrov), disenchanted with what the Communist ideal has become under Brezhnev, decides he is going to change the world…

Discreetly, he makes contact with a French engineer working for Thomson in Moscow and little by little passes on documents to him - mainly concerning the United States - containing information which would constitute the most important Cold War espionage operation known to date.

During a period of two years, French President, François Mitterrand, was to personally vet the documents supplied by this source in Moscow, to whom the French Secret Service gave the codename « Farewell ».

Then master of the White House, Ronald Reagan, set aside his reluctance to work with a French Socialist to put this unhoped-for information from the very heart of the KGB to use. Farewell would in fact decapitate the network which enabled the KGB to gain in-depth knowledge of scientific, industrial and military research in the West.

Once the USSR had been deprived of these precious sources of information, Ronald Reagan’s announcement of the new « Star Wars » military programme sounded the death bell of the Soviet Union. The Berlin Wall would fall before the end of the 80s…

In his own way, Farewell managed to change the world, by avoiding traditional espionage methods too well known to the KGB and by not asking for any financial compensation whatsoever – much too capitalist for his taste. He simply followed his destiny, so that a new world might dawn for all his fellow Russians, but especially for his son.

Club reactions by city:

moderated by Brittain Smith
with guest Tom Gilligan, author, CIA LIFE: 10,000 Days with the Agency

Excellent! Gripping story. A COMPLETE film experience. Superb film. Thank you for arranging such a knowledgeable and distinguished guest speaker.

I'm still nervous.

Superb casting. Best film shown this year! Fascinating story.

moderated by Mike Budd
with guest Charna Lazar, Ex-CIA

Exciting. Brought back memories of the Cold War.

Very interesting story. Very 'intriguing' – pun intended.

Love that two excellent directors are the stars.

moderated by Patrice Petro and Gilberto Blasini
with guest Athan Theoharis, Marquette University Professor

I liked it much more than I expected--it was gripping and intense as well as beautiful.

The film expanded my knowledge and outlook.

An excellent story showing how very cold the Cold War was. Moving and eye-opening with cinematography that was itself a key player.

moderated by Peter L. Stein
with guests Lee Livingston and Stan Levchenko

I think I held my breath fo the entire last 30 minutes of the film - it was fantastic, so beautifully shot and with wonderful acting. The story was fascinating - bravo!

Bravo! A history lesson I had no idea I needed to know.

I would pay to see this again in the theater. Perfectly paced, written, acted, executed - a truly great film!

moderated by Diane Carson
with guest Dr. Brian Frederking, McKendree University Professor

Wonderful story and evocation of the tenor of the times--paranoia, suspicion--the entire Cold War mindset. A well-told tale.

A realistic look at the dirty side of serving your country. I applaud all involved in making this movie. A thriller with no holds barred.

Fascinating portrayal of the inside story behind the intelligence war during the Cold War. It was refreshing to watch a movie based on a true story that had a very realistic feel. My main complaint is only that the casting for Ronald Reagan was very poor.

moderated by Peter Brunette
with guest Peter Earnest, Founding Executive Director of The Spy Museum

Wonderful thriller -- shows the heroism of individuals. Personalized the Cold War. The actor portraying Gregoriev was superb.

Thanks for bringing in Peter Earnest -- how wonderfully interesting!!! I was so worried at the beginning with the gag-me Cold War symbolism and the steely-eyed wolf. Then the movie reeled me in like a siren song. Loved the piano and guitar music, loved the actors (wonderful contrasts between Gregoriev and Fromont, the two families), the father/son relationship (oooh - more symbolism) and it all pulled together with intrigue, romance, history, poetry.

Gripping. forced me to pay close attention and to think.