The following contains spoilers for The Last Front, which hits theaters August 9.
The last front, directed by Julien Hayet-Kerknawi and based on his 2015 short film A broken man, is a tragic retelling of the infamous German invasion and sacking of Belgium during World War I. Starring Iain Glen, Sasha Luss and James Downie, The last front follows widowed farmer Leonard (Glen), who is thrust into an unwanted leadership role when his family and community are terrorized and destroyed by the German army. Faced with great loss, Leonard must forge new alliances, including one with his son Adrian's forbidden love, the wealthy but kind Louise (Luss), and the surviving townsfolk. Their journey to the safety of France will not be easy, but war never is.
In this exclusive interview, Actors Iain Glen and Sasha Luss talk about their friendship on-screen and off-screen, their relationships with their castmates, the challenges of portraying true historical events, and Glen’s role as a mentor on set.
Iain, most fans, especially here at CBR, know you as Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones, which was a dark, epic fantasy. The last front It's a more concrete story, based on an event that happened in real life and in history. Do you feel a greater sense of weight or heaviness in doing something concrete versus something fantastical?
3:13

Related
The Best World War I Movies, Ranked
World War II is by far the most popular period in cinema, but there are many great films about World War I that deserve mention.
By Iain Glen:
Yes, I think so. At that moment, all the time [
Game of
Thrones
],
sure, you're 100 percent committed to it. But there's a kind of sense of responsibility that subliminally comes along when you're doing a job like this. Because, I mean, they weren't real people, but
What happened to them and to Belgium during that period was very, very real.
They represent this.
And they represent people.
I play a farmer who has to deal with being a single parent to his two children, a boy and a girl, and living a very simple life in rural Belgium, when the war unexpectedly invades and destroys their lives. So, yes, you do.It's funny, there's a slight presumption that you get used to. We're very, very lucky as British actors, and Americans too, but probably to a lesser extent, when we go back in time, very often stories from all over the world come to the UK as a source of talent. And I feel very lucky and blessed for that. And you never feel the tension, really, when we opened the film in Belgium, I had no idea, as a Scottish actor coming and playing this role in this. The thing is, you know, for international reasons, distribution-wise, they want to shoot in English. And so you do. Again, that adds to the sense of responsibility you feel. You think, if people are going to trust me with this story, then I want to try to do it as much justice as possible.
I think so.
Valletta:
Thank you!
Sasha, your career has really taken off in the last few years. You've played a lot of action heroes. But this time, in The last front, your character, Louise, is a more innocent and gentle character. She's a survivor archetype. She's a very different character than the ones you've played in recent years. What do you enjoy most about playing her versus something more tough or fiery?

Related
Sheroes' Skai Jackson, Wallis Day and Sasha Luss Celebrate an Action-Packed Adventure
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Sheroes stars Sasha Luss, Skai Jackson, and Wallis Day talk girlfriends, choreography, and filming in paradise.
Sasha Luss:
Well, I think there's, like, there's power in vulnerability. In a way, as an actor, you always want to capture the truth of the character and, as Iain said earlier, yeah, they're not real people in the sense that they didn't exist and there's no documented names or anything like that. But there have been people who have gone through this, a lot of people.
And there was someone like Louise who lost her loved ones, who had to harden herself, even though she was a delicate flower.
who was raised for something very different.So I found this character very interesting to play, and also quite challenging, because when you play a tough guy it's quite easy, you know? You know you're tough, you're strong! And that, there was a very touching arc for the character. And I loved it! And as difficult as it was, and at times it was extremely difficult, because when you have to go through something like Louise, as an actor, you have to go through this day, in one way or another, because you have to find something inside of you that connects to this moment and this situation. But I feel extremely honored to have played someone like Louise, and I wish I could do more. And I hope to play more characters like that.
I think you’ll do more of that. But it’s actually the perfect connection to my next question. And that goes for both of you. You two have a very intense and emotional interaction on screen. Both of your characters create this impromptu father-daughter bond throughout the story. How would you compare your interactions off-screen to on-screen? Have you developed a rapport off-screen?
Valletta:
Yes, yes, we did! It was a very close cast overall. We all lived quite close to each other. And it was a very happy group, you know, the kind of group that particularly went on the run. I don't want to give anything away! But that group of actors, you know, were there for most of the film. I think I'm probably quite solitary, if I'm honest, in a way when I'm shooting. I hope I never get a little, you know, distant or sullen. But I do sometimes – in a very gentle way – I kind of inhabit the kind of aura of who I'm playing, and I suppose I've played someone who is quite distant and quite strong in their own way.And there’s definitely the relationship with my daughter’s lover. It was one of detachment at first. And I didn’t actually plan that in the story! I thought it was really lovely when it happened, like you say, she became a sort of surrogate daughter, and it was really sweet. But we did hang out, right? We did. We had fun! We had a laugh. But I think we were all really close as a cast. But I think it’s probably fair to say I was out less than the others, maybe socially? I don’t know!
Luxuriousness:
[laughs] No! You know what?
You were our leader in the movie and you were our leader in real life too!
When you started working with the legendary Glen, we were so excited, and everyone on set was kind of like, “Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” Because it's an honor to work with someone like you! And it resonates with the story: people look up to Leonard, like he's the leader of the story. He's the one we kind of lean on, and we kind of follow, and in a way, that's exactly what happened on set. We all followed you and felt protected by your presence.
Valletta:
Well, that's nice to hear! You don't talk about these things while you're doing them! And I think there was also an element where Julian [Hayet-Kerknawi]he had written this really wonderfully powerful, touching, moving script. But it was his first film. And so there were a number of scenes that, when we got to it – particularly the group scenes – it's easy when it's just the two of you, and we had some great dialogue between us. And likewise, with my nemesis, that young German officer
[Joe Anderson]he played so brilliantly.But in the group scenes, sometimes it's quite difficult to coordinate. Where is everybody? And Julian, the director, actually, was very open. I think maybe he even thought that I might be in a stronger position to suggest how maybe things could be, without wanting to step on anyone's toes. And so, yeah, it felt like a really good ensemble where everyone was open to each other. But I'm, I'm, I'm happy to hear that people thought that I could be followed, or whatever it is, that's a good thing.
Luxuriousness:
My God!
Thanks to you everyone gave their all!
Because you know you can't, you know – I won't use the word – screw it up when we have someone like you on set! [laughs] So everyone was on time, trying to do their best. And it was wonderful to work with someone like you, and especially, like our “Leonard,” because that was exactly what we needed! There were a lot of young actors on set, and you need someone you can look at and say, “Okay, how do I get there?” So thank you so much.
Valletta:
Well, listen, the same goes for you. It was a very happy time. I loved it. A fantastic group of actors.
Yes, I could see watching the movie that it seemed like everyone's heart was completely in this project. Even in the fight scenes where you and Joe Anderson are literally trying to kill each other. Neither of you are strangers to fight scenes, that much is clear! The A game was brought. I can't wait for American audiences to see this movie.
By Iain Glen:
Thank you and thank you for your support.
Sasha Luss:
Thank you!
The Last Front hits theaters on August 9.