Directed by Jean-Paul Salomé and co-written with Bastien Daret, The Bojarski Affair is a French drama inspired by true events, set for release in theaters on January 14, 2026. Led by Reda Kateb, Sara Giraudeau, and Bastien Bouillon, the film continues the tradition of character-driven storytelling, paying close attention to marginal lives and the gray areas of history. With a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes, it delves into post-war France through the unique story of a man with no official identity.
Jan Bojarski, a young Polish engineer, finds refuge in France during World War II. Throughout the German occupation, he uses his technical skills to support the Resistance by producing forged documents. But once the war ends, his lack of official civil registration prevents him from existing legally: he can't file patents for his inventions and is forced into unstable jobs despite his acknowledged talent.
His life takes a dramatic turn when a gangster offers him the chance to leverage his extraordinary skills to produce counterfeit bills. Jan agrees and begins leading a double life, keeping his secret from his family. As he perfects increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting techniques, he catches the eye of Inspector Mattei, one of France’s top detectives, who makes it his mission to track him down.
The project originated from a meeting between Jean-Paul Salomé and producer Jean-Baptiste Dupont, shortly after the release of La Daronne. The director quickly shifted away from an initial focus on the father-son relationship to center the story around Bojarski, a character he describes as “a bit like a Simenon protagonist”: solitary and complex. Extensive research, including collaboration with Swiss journalist Jacques Briod, helped ground the narrative in specific historical details.
Bojarski's inventions, his handcrafted machines, and his methods — including paper-making, ink production, and printing presses — are largely true to history, with only a few creative liberties taken for storytelling. The film particularly reconstructs the engineer's secret workshop using historical photos and blueprints, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.
From the outset, Jean-Paul Salomé envisioned Reda Kateb as the perfect choice to portray Jan Bojarski. The screenplay was crafted with his presence in mind, despite initial hesitations about the character’s background. Opposite him, Bastien Bouillon brings to life a meticulous and refined Commissioner Mattei, inspired by the style of Jean-Pierre Melville, while Sara Giraudeau adds depth through a cast of characters grappling with the personal fallout of a double life.
Filmed over just 45 days across Paris, Lyon, and Vichy—a choice made for its well-preserved architecture—the film embraces a traditional, classic aesthetic. It focuses on lively scenes and strong performances rather than a museum-like re-creation. The soundtrack by Mathieu Lamboley blends mechanical textures with melodic motifs, enhancing Bojarski's meticulously precise work with an almost obsessive attention to detail.
The Bojarski Case
Film | 2026
Release date in theaters: January 14, 2026
Drama | Runtime: 2h08
Directed by Jean-Paul Salomé | Starring Reda Kateb, Sara Giraudeau, Bastien Bouillon
Country: France
Through the portrait of a man caught between brilliance, secrecy, and police pursuit, L’Affaire Bojarski delivers a gripping historical drama that explores the complex themes of identity and recognition, set against the murky backdrop of the post-war period.
To keep the theater experience going, check out the January movie releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, and browse our selection of French films to watch in theaters this year.
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