It's France 1944 with intellectuals, writers and Jews attempting to flee to Marseille, as yet not occupied by the Germans, who we're told are "cleansing" all in their path. Marseille offers transit visas and passage to the Americas. But the director has taken licence with the concept. Initially it's a fresh thrilling, intriguing film, set in contemporary France with modern day riot police rounding up citizens. but having our hero and heroines speaking in German (as does the droll narrator) and French gets very confusing. Throw into the mix convoluted love affairs, changed identities and generally a sense that we are chasing shadows and demons of each others imagination...and you just lose the will to care....it just tries too hard ...and what started well chokes on its own genius.