The Money Maker

Reda Kateb anchors Jean-Paul Salomé's The Money Maker as Jan Bojarski, a Polish engineer turned master counterfeiter in 1970s France. The film transforms the true story of a man who built his own printing press into a tense character study rather than a standard heist thriller. Bojarski approached forgery with the detachment of an artist, creating banknotes so flawless they baffled experts for over a decade.

Produced by Michel Hazanavicius and released in early 2026, the movie blends historical drama with psychological suspense. The narrative tracks Jan's evolution from a struggling immigrant to the self-styled "Cézanne of counterfeiting," whose obsession with technical perfection eventually isolates him from his family and invites police scrutiny. Mathieu Lamboley's score and Julien Hirsch's cinematography capture the gritty texture of the era without romanticizing the criminal underworld. [edit]

Jan Bojarski arrives in post-war France carrying little more than engineering skills and a quiet determination to survive. The film opens in the shadowy corners of the French economy where Jan struggles to find stable work despite his technical brilliance. His life shifts when he discovers a niche opportunity within the illicit market: creating high-quality counterfeit currency. Unlike typical criminals driven by immediate greed, Jan approaches this venture as a challenge to his intellect and craftsmanship. He retreats into a secluded existence, often working alone or with a very small circle of trusted associates, including his wife Suzanne, who supports his dangerous endeavor while remaining largely unaware of its full scope.

The narrative meticulously details the logistical nightmares of printing high-quality paper, sourcing specialized ink, and evading detection by the Bank of France. Jan evolves from a struggling immigrant into a figure known as the "Cézanne of counterfeiting," earning a moniker for the sheer aesthetic and technical perfection of his fake francs. Over fourteen years, his operation expands to produce millions of francs worth of notes that are nearly indistinguishable from genuine currency. The film avoids chaotic violence, focusing instead on the methodical precision required to maintain such a sophisticated operation.

Tension builds as the police begin to close in, sensing a pattern of high-level forgery that defies conventional explanation. Jan must navigate a complex web of paranoia, constantly shifting locations and altering his methods to stay one step ahead of investigators. The central conflict arises from the tension between Jan's desire for anonymity and the inevitable pressure of his success. As the net tightens, the film explores the corrosive effect of his deception on his soul and his relationships. His obsession with perfection isolates him from those he loves most, turning his greatest talent into a source of profound loneliness. The story maintains a character-driven focus throughout, treating Jan not as a hero or villain but as a tragic figure whose ambition leads him toward an inevitable confrontation.[edit]