Based on a true story
In Nazi-occupied France, a young French girl’s life is up-ended when she falls in love with a
Czech Nazi officer, sparking a series of events that test her courage, resilience, and
ultimately, her capacity for love.

SYNOPSIS:

“FORBIDDEN: Once Upon a War” is a poignant tale of love and survival set against the

backdrop of Nazi-occupied France. The story centers on Suzanne Liefooghe, a young

French girl from a well-to-do family, whose life is irrevocably changed by the German

invasion.

On her 14th birthday in October 1939, Suzanne’s family life is disrupted by the war, forcing

them to flee to Lourdes amidst chaos and danger. Returning to Paris under Nazi

occupation, Suzanne’s father, Emile, discovers his law practice destroyed and his Jewish

partner missing. The family struggles to adapt, with Suzanne finding work at a boutique

where she befriends Ida, a Jewish girl whom she helps protect from Nazi harassment.

Suzanne’s life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Bruno, a handsome Czech forced to

fight for the Nazis. Their forbidden love blossoms amidst the turmoil, with Suzanne and

Bruno finding solace in their secret meetings. Despite her mother’s increasing suspicion

and hostility, Suzanne remains determined to be with Bruno.

As the war intensifies, Suzanne faces numerous challenges, including helping Ida escape

Paris, only to later discover that the man they trusted was a notorious serial killer preying

on desperate Jews. Suzanne’s relationship with Bruno deepens, leading to a secret

engagement and an ill-timed pregnancy. Her mother, Blanche, reacts with cruelty, forcing

Suzanne into a precarious situation where she is eventually shunned and left to fend for

herself.

In the final stages of the war, Bruno is sent to the front lines and Suzanne is left alone and

destitute. After giving birth to their daughter, Laure, Suzanne’s life is further complicated by

Blanche’s manipulative actions, leading to heartbreak and separation from Bruno.

As the war ends and Paris celebrates liberation, Suzanne’s hopes for a reunion with Bruno

are crushed by Blanche’s deceit when she learns Bruno has committed suicide. Suzanne

faces the harsh realities of post-war life, struggling with depression and the stigma of her

past. Despite the attempts of a kind American soldier, Peter, to help her, Suzanne remains

haunted by her lost love and the child she must now raise alone.

In a turn of fate, Peter’s unwavering support and compassion gradually win Suzanne over.

They marry and move to the United States. Their journey from war-torn Europe to a land of

new opportunities symbolizes the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of

love.

“Forbidden: Once Upon a War” is a deeply emotional story of love, betrayal, and

resilience, highlighting the personal struggles and sacrifices of those living under the

shadow of war.