SECRET NAME/ LA PLACE D’UN AUTRE

France, 2021, 112 minutes, Colour.

Lyna Khoudri, Sabine Azema, Maud Wyler, Laurent Poitrenaux.

Directed by Aurelia Georges.

It is something of a surprise to find that this film is based on a novel by British author, Wilkie Collins, famous for The Woman in White and The Moonstone. This film is based on a lesser-known novel, The New Magdalen. Interestingly, The Woman in White and The Moonstone have been filmed many times for film and television whereas there were four short versions of The New Magdalen from 1910 to 1914.

The setting here is France at the beginning of World War I, some scenes of battle, nurses tending the wounded, negotiations of passes with the German authorities.

However, this is the story of Ellie, played by Lyna Khoudri, Constance in the The Three Musketeers films, D’Artagnan and Milady. We first see Nellie ousted from housekeeping, walking the streets, the revelation that she had been a prostitute, looking for some kind of refuge but being persuaded to become a nurse on the front line.

The meaning of the title comes into force when a young woman, Rose, is stranded at the frontline, reveals her story to Nellie, but it is wounded, presumed killed in an explosion. As with the title of the film, Nellie takes on the name of the stranger and takes her identity.

The film then takes a rather elegant tone, Nellie able to be a reader to an ageing wealthy lady, becoming her companion. But, for the drama, Rose was not killed and has arrived to claim her place in the household, deception by Nellie, investigation by the elderly lady’s nephew which vindicates Nellie, repeated attempts by rose to declare her innocence – and a final moral confrontation and search for a satisfying ending.

1. The title? The French title and identity theft? The English title, the importance of names and concealment?
2. The 1914 setting, World War I in France? Scenes of war action, nursing, the advance of the Germans, interactions? The musical score?
3. The plot based on a Wilkie Collins novel, The New Magdalen? The adaptation? Updating to the 20^th century?
4. Nellie’s story, the opening, her working, being ousted, wandering, her past on the streets, the other women, the man following her, the sexual encounter? The refuge, nurses, the volunteers, her being seconded, going to the front, her work with the wounded, with the officer?
5. The arrival of Rose, her story, death of her father, seeking out the widow of her father’s friend? Interactions with Nellie, Nellie helping her? The German attack, the bombardment, Rose and her injuries, to her neck, assumed dead? Nellie, her decision, the documents, burning her hand, the letter, setting out on her journey?
6. Her arrival, the representation to all, society, position, wealth, her assistant, her nephew, his preaching the church, visits to his aunt, the meals, intrigued by Nellie, yet his suspicions, his later work in verifying her identity? Is then volunteering for the front?
7. Nellie presenting herself as Rose, the documents, her research about Switzerland, her knowledge, her education, her reading, the character of the old lady, the growing dependence on Nellie as Rose, a happy life?
8. Rose, surviving, recovery, coming to the house, the confrontation, Nellie and her reaction, the old lady and her harsh judgement? Rose taken away, the doctors, the police, the institution? Her determination, her assertions? Nellie going to see her, the confrontation between the two?
9. Julien, the investigations, the issue of the wounded hand, Nellie seeming the authentic Rose? Rose escaping, coming to the house, further confrontation?
10. Nellie, her decision, revealing the truth, her own background, her mother, education, lower class, on the streets? The old lady giving her the ring, her pawning it?
11. The old lady giving the amount of money to Rose for her future? In the car, finding Nellie, the discussion in the car, her wanting to adopt her, Nellie asserting her mother’s name, wanting her to read, to go to Italy, the future?