Heroes of the Louvre

Name: Heroes of the Louvre
Start: 2026-11-19
End: 2026-11-19
Location: Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin

As a lover of the arts, Babi Maklouf Benhamou has the best job in the world: he’s the night watchman at the Louvre Museum. When World War II breaks out and a German invasion looms, Jacques Jaujard, the museum’s curator, organises a secret operation to rescue the artworks before they fall into Nazi hands. Entrusted with transporting the Louvre’s masterpieces out of Paris, Babi agrees on one condition: that he is allowed to bring his family with him. So begins an epic, perilous family journey across occupied France, one that will bind the fate of the Louvre’s treasures to Maklouf and his family. Directed by Maklouf’s real-life grandson, Elie Chouraqui, this historical drama tells the extraordinary story of an ordinary man who put his life at risk to quietly and anonymously helped preserve some of the world’s greatest works of art for generations to come.

WHY WE LIKE THIS FILM: What began as a simple search for a word starting with “H” led a director straight to his own family history—and inspired his most deeply personal film yet. Based on extraordinary true events, this captivating story follows the director’s own grandfather in a sweeping tale that is part historical drama, part thriller, and part intimate family saga. In a rare privilege, the Director of the Louvre opened the iconic museum’s doors to the production, allowing scenes to be shot directly among some of its world-famous artwork. Told with immense heart, warmth, and suspense, this is an incredible story of legacy and courage you won’t want to miss.

Showtimes

In-Person

Nov 19

2:30 PM — Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin

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