Flame and Citron

In Films by Brock Bourgase

Flame and Citron is a Danish film chronicling the exploits of two members of the Copenhagen resistance movement during World War II. I watched the film alone in an empty cinema but the work deserves far more credit and recognition than it has received. Aside from the fact that the piece is very historically accurate – in terms of costumes and locations – it requires the viewer to ask sophisticated questions of themselves.

Flame and Citron are the code names of two hitmen who are working underground against the Nazi regime in Denmark. It is uncertain whether they are merely assassins who should be apprehended or freedom fighters who should be glorified. They know that there is an informant in their group but they are doubtful about his or her identity. They could be the target that they are ordered to kill or they could be the man at the top of the organization who is using them to eliminate his rivals.

Questions of moral relativism abound. It is akin to what Robert McNamara said during The Fog of War that had the Allies lost World War II, he would have been tried for war crimes for the fire bombing of Tokyo. Flame and Citron are eventually awarded United States Medals of Honor but that may be simply because they fought for the winning side.

I am slightly weary of watching historical films with an ending that is already known but the conclusion is still tense. The outcome is definite but it does not quell the debate about whether the actions of the two men were legitimate or murderous. That responsibility lies with the audience. ***½