For over a century on war memorials in 900 communes across France, the statue of the Victorious Soldier has embodied the image of a heroic, invincible soldier, frozen in glory. A workshop model, created by sculptor, Eugène Benet, opens the permanent exhibition of the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, reminding visitors that in every commune in France, a war memorial honors the sacrifice made by those children who died for their country during the Great War. But what does this symbol of victory truly conceal?

BBDO Paris and the Museum of the Great War rewrite the traditional story of the war with their film, The Victorious Soldier. Part of BBDO’s campaign, Broken Souls, for the Museum of the Great War, the film draws viewers into an intimate and deeply troubling exploration. Behind the solider’s triumphant posture emerge other realities – fear, anguish, distress. The cry of victory transforms into the inner cry of a soldier who returned alive but is forever traumatised.

Carried by the music, Remains, by Volker Bertelmann and the voice of Finnegan Oldfield, the narrative gradually fractures the idea that the war ended in triumph. By subverting a symbol deeply rooted in collective memory, The Victorious Soldier shifts people’s perspective from seeing a hero to seeing a man.

With this film, the museum continues its mission to uncover a more human and lasting memory of war, shedding light on those soldiers for whom suffering did not end when combat ceased.

The film is being spread on the Museum of the Great War’s website and in social media.

Credits:
Creative Agency: BBDO Paris
CEO & CCO: Alexander Kalchev
Art Director: Julien Beuvry
Copywriters: Sonia Dos Santos & Benoit Oulhen
Deputy Managing Director: Julie Haslé
Associate Director: Olivier Massanella
Account Director: Agathe Dayre
Head of Print Production: Claire Dallet

Production Company: WAD 
Director: Julien Beuvry 
Executive Producers: Rémi Campet & Solène Chalmey-Meysselle
Production Assistant: Lou-Salomé Martinez
Production Manager: Germain Cesena
Director of Photography: Martin Roux @ Apicorp
Camera Assistant: Julia Portanier
Gaffer: Diarra Sourang
Editor: Julien Beuvry
Colourist: Eudes Quittelier
Client: Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux:
President of the Meaux Region Urban Agglomeration Community: Jean-François Copé
Vice-President of the CAPM, delegated to Culture, Cultural Education and Heritage, Secondary and Higher Education: Bernard Lociciro
Museum Director: Audrey Chaix
Head of Collections: Johanne Berlemont
Development Manager: Virginie Roy
Digital Project Manager: Stéphanie Fournier
Deputy Development Manager: Léa Davy