“The Girl Who Wore Freedom” Review: A Heartful Celebration of Real-Life Heroes

Danièle (Dany) Patrix Boucherie, Photo Credit: Documentary First

As a genre, documentaries are one of the most limitless and wide-ranging kinds of film. They can center on just about anything, of course, and how they are told can also vary considerably. The Girl Who Wore Freedom is an example of a documentary that leads with its heart. Or, more specifically, the heart of director and narrator Christian Taylor. Indeed, its very existence hinges on the fact that Taylor herself wanted to learn more about the French citizens living in Normandy on June 6, 1944, famously known as D-day. Her warm voice guides us through this history, both recounting her own experiences as well as providing some context for what she encountered during her initial visit to Normandy.

The first half of the film is told through the perspectives of French citizens who survived the bombings in 1944, many of whom also lost their families and loved ones during the wartime exploits. How fitting, then, that Taylor’s story also be told through the vehicle of family. In 2015, her son, Hunter, who is currently serving in the US Navy was chosen to visit Normandy as part of the 101st Airborne Division. Taylor went along, and it was during that trip that her interest in the subject material was piqued after attending the annual D-Day festival featuring period-specific outfits, vehicles, and decorations reminiscent of years past.

The “girl” in question is Danièle (Dany) Patrix Boucherie. Her nickname comes from a red, white, and blue outfit made by her mother that she wore as a young girl at the first D-Day celebration in 1945. Boucherie was one of the first French citizens that Taylor met during this trip and it was her own experiences that set Taylor in motion to collect and document numerous other stories from those who survived.

The story of The Girl Who Wore Freedom is told as close to the subjects and setting as possible (apart from time travel, of course) making it an inspirational and beautiful tribute to real-life heroes of the past and present. Through the oral histories provided by the French citizens of Normandy and the surrounding areas, we get the unique opportunity to be privy to first-hand accounts of the events that shook (quite literally) the beaches of Normandy almost 80 years ago. 

In addition to Dany, we hear from her husband Jean-Marie Boucherie who was seven years old on D-day and hosted a base in his own backyard. Henri-Jean Renaud is the son of Sainte-Mère-Église, who was the mayor at the time. Charles DeVallavieille’s father was shot five times by American soldiers and later opened a museum in an effort to educate Normandy about this history. Though the specifics of their stories differ, what remains consistent is the robust memories of their experiences- both positive and negative- and how American soldiers supported them in their liberation from the German occupation.

The film features a blend of archive footage, new footage, and reenactments. The high production value is plainly on display during the reenactments in particular, which serve as effective and powerful visualizations of the memories recounted by the French citizens. The images blend seamlessly with their words, creating an experience that brings seemingly distant history to the forefront.

The second half of the film is where things really soar, connecting the dots for us as all the pieces of both the French and United States perspectives come together. After hearing the stories told by the French survivors, the film takes us to the United States where we learn from several US veterans who were participants in D-Day. With such destruction that took place, you might think that there would be some tension or perhaps even hatred between the French and the Americans. This worry was shared by US veteran Bob Lockard who didn’t think he would be welcomed back all these years later. Quite the opposite. Instead, Lockart- and other veterans- are commended and thanked for the part they played, despite the difficulties.

This reunion serves as the climax of the film: United States veterans returning to Normandy and being celebrated. Perspective and liberation are central themes of the film; the latter is repeated again and again. By the end of the film, the central message is clear: good things can come out of terrible circumstances and time has healed some of the wounds caused by this necessary tragedy.

Worth noting is that The Girl Who Wore Freedom operates under the assumption that viewers will have a working knowledge of the subject at hand. That is, there isn’t a lengthy explanation as to the historical context and events that brought the US and Germany to the beaches of Normandy in 1944. This, of course, shouldn’t be a problem for history buffs. But for anyone who didn’t pay attention in history class, some additional background addressing the circumstances of the event would have been welcome.

The film reminds us that distance, whether that be time or place, is not enough to make something irrelevant or forgettable. This history is not just worth preserving, but actively engaging with whenever we can. The Girl Who Wore Freedom was produced at an opportune moment; since the film was finished, there have been several Veterans who have sadly passed away: Bob DeVinney, Brad Freeman, William Kellerman, Al Mampre, and George Shenkle. But their stories and legacies live on here, making the film an important historical artifact. 

Now is an excellent time to watch or revisit this film, as this year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. In fact, there will be a screening in Normandy during the 80th Anniversary D-Day Commemorations in June. The film is hosted by the Bar du 6 Juin and will take place in the square of Ste. Marie du Mont, Normandy, France. 

For those who would like to see the film in the meantime, it is available to rent on a plethora of streaming platforms and on DVD. Additionally, the movie will receive a theatrical release across 90 cities and 26 different states later this month (May 2024) and into June, just in time for D-Day.

David Paterson, a producer of the film, had this to say about its upcoming release:

"THE GIRL WHO WORE FREEDOM" documentary is the classic "The Little Engine That Could'' story when it comes to filmmaking, with a slight adjustment: "We knew it could, we knew it could" (be released in theaters). The anemic, Covid plagued 20220/2021 film festival circuit could've killed this film's chances of any success, but it won awards in nearly every festival it screened at. People took notice. The fact is, 99.9% of the time if a film does not secure theatrical distribution during its festival run, it never secures a theatrical release. This film defied all odds. It's securing theatrical release with film exhibitors throughout the US two years after its festival release is not simply because it's topical, but it is a high quality, top notch film these movie theaters are proud to carry. And I'm proud of Christian's unwavering commitment to get this film seen and honor the heroes it acknowledges."

To find a screening, check local theaters or follow @documentaryfirst to learn more. People interested in scheduling a screening for Veteran’s Month can visit the Documentary First website or send an email here. Documentary First also has a Patreon and is taking donations to help more people see the film.

Lastly, Christian Taylor and Documentary First have two film projects currently in the works: "Heroes of Carentan”, a documentary aimed to release in 2025, and "The Brave Dutch”, a 10-part documentary series. Both of these projects are still raising money to be fully funded.

Stories, such as these told by Taylor and Documentary First, are not just important, but necessary. They remind us of the resilience and bravery of real-life heroes who have done seemingly impossible things in the not-too-distant past.

The Girl Who Wore Freedom earns my highest recommendation.