Belgian film ‘Le Faux Soir’ selected for Toronto Film Festival recounts daring act of wartime resistance

Belgian director Michaël R Roskam’s fourth feature film Le Faux Soir has been selected for the 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The film about the fake newspaper published as a satire during German occupation will have its world première at the major movie event, which is running from 10 to 20 September. Its Belgian release is scheduled for 2 December.

Presented in Toronto as a ‘special screening’, Le Faux Soir pays tribute to one of Belgium’s bravest acts of resistance in the Second World War.

With the daily newspaper Le Soir founded in 1887 used by the Germans as a powerful propaganda tool, a group of resistance fighters dared to print a fake edition in 1943 openly ridiculing the German occupier and its propaganda.

Roskam, who made his international breakthrough with Bullhead, filmed the movie on the capital’s streets last autumn.

He was joined by fellow Brussels-residing cast and crew, Pierre Gervais, known for Drift, Knokke Off, Julie Swears and This is Not a Murder Mystery, as well as cinematographer Jordan Vanschel, who previously worked on The Twelve and Putain.

The lead role is played by Belgian actor Arieh Worthalter, winner of the 2024 César for Best Actor for Le Procès Goldman. Other Belgian cast members include Bouli Lanners, François Damiens, Mara Taquin, Jean-Benoit Ugeux, Ruth Becquart, Viviane De Muynck, Jan Bijvoet and Peter Van den Begin.

French stars Karim Leklou (who won César for Best Actor for 2025’s Le Roman de Jim) and Mélanie Thierry, currently appearing in La Femme de, complete the prestigious line-up.

The major historical drama was produced by the Liège film production company Frakas Productions with the support of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Founded in 1976, the TIFF is regarded not only as North America’s leading film festival but also as one of the world’s most influential film events, both in terms of audience numbers and industry significance.

Each year, it screens more than 300 films from some 60 countries, in 15 different categories including Gala Presentations, Discovery, Short Cuts and Midnight Madness – including horror and action cult films.

Photo: Le Faux © Frakas Productions/Rectangle Productions, Goodfellas RTL Belgium