Full Breakdown
Netflix’s “Projet K” Turns the Klarsfelds’ Nazi-Hunting Saga into a French Thriller
8/17/2026, 9:20:33 PM
Core Event: Netflix Begins Production on “Projet K”
Netflix France announced that principal photography has started on *Projet K*, a historical thriller dramatizing the pursuit of former Gestapo chief Klaus Barbie by Beate and Serge Klarsfeld. The film stars Diane Kruger as Beate, Dany Boon as Serge, and Tim Roth as Barbie. Yvan Attal directs and co-writes with Laurent Turner. Shooting locations include Paris, Lyon, Bolivia and Belgium.
Background & Context: The Klarsfelds’ Decade-Long Hunt
Beate Klarsfeld (born 1939) and Serge Klarsfeld (born 1935) married in 1963 and became known for tracking Nazi war criminals. Their most prominent target was Klaus Barbie, the Gestapo head in Lyon responsible for deportations and torture. After the war Barbie worked for U.S. intelligence, then fled to Bolivia under the alias “Klaus Altmann.” The Klarsfelds identified his location in 1971, campaigned for his extradition, and succeeded despite Bolivian resistance. Barbie was extradited to France in 1983, tried in Lyon, sentenced to life imprisonment, and died in 1991.
Timeline of Real-Life Events
- 1971 – Klarsfelds uncover Barbie’s whereabouts in Bolivia.
- 1983 – Barbie is extradited to France.
- 1983-1991 – Trial in Lyon, life sentence, death in prison.
Production Details and Creative Team
Netflix confirmed the project under the working title *Projet K* (the “K” standing for Klaus Barbie). Yvan Attal, known for directing *The Accusation* (2021), leads the film through his company Films Sous Influence. Co-producers Antoine Pezet and Jérôme Corcos of NAC Films join the effort. The screenplay draws on the Klarsfelds’ documented investigations and the broader post-war effort to bring Nazi perpetrators to justice.
Data & Statistics
- The Klarsfelds’ campaign against Barbie spanned more than ten years.
- Barbie led the Gestapo in Lyon from 1942 to 1945.
- Production involves three countries (France, Bolivia, Belgium) and historic French cities, notably Lyon.
Why It Matters: Historical Memory and Contemporary Storytelling
*Projet K* adds to Netflix’s French-language slate, which includes *Call My Agent: The Movie* and sequels to *Under Paris* and *Ad Vitam*. By dramatizing the Klarsfelds’ pursuit, the film underscores the post-war struggle to hold Nazi officials accountable, a theme that remains relevant as societies confront historical atrocities. The project also highlights the platform’s investment in European true-story adaptations.
Official Statements & Responses
Netflix issued a statement confirming production has begun and that the film will be primarily in French with an international cast. The streamer noted that *Projet K* is part of its “French thriller” lineup and that a release date has not yet been set, though expectations point to a late-2027 or early-2028 debut. Yvan Attal described the film as a “relentless hunt” driven by the Klarsfelds’ thirst for justice.
What’s Next
No official release date has been announced. Industry observers expect Netflix to reveal a premiere window in the latter half of 2027 or early 2028, aligning with its strategy to roll out high-profile European productions. Production is underway in Lyon, with additional scenes planned for Paris, Bolivia and Belgium.
