Documentary Explores Jean-Marie Le Pen's Legacy and Controversial History

A new France 5 series examines the founder of the National Front, revealing political, financial, and ideological controversies tied to his leadership.

The three-part documentary, 'Jean-Marie Le Pen: À l'extrême,' features extensive interviews with Le Pen and his close associates, offering a comprehensive look at his political career.
The series uncovers the National Front's early financial support from the Italian neo-fascist party Movimento Sociale Italiano and the South Korean Moon sect during the 1980s.
It highlights the party's use of controversial, racially charged rhetoric and policies, including fabricated claims about immigration and unemployment that shaped its populist appeal.
The documentary delves into Le Pen's personal financial dealings, including disputes over inheritance and allegations of withholding funds from the party's treasury.
Through archival footage and interviews, the filmmakers argue that the ideological foundations of the National Front remain largely unchanged across three generations of Le Pen leadership.