'The New Look': Catherine Dior faces horrors and tragedies in German captivity
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: French fashion and haute couture have always been a source of fascination for many, and many movies and series are catering to this fascination.
Apple TV+'s newest biographical drama, 'The New Look,' is the most recent addition to the roster that caters to this interest.
In the first four episodes of the drama, Christian Dior (Ben Mendelsohn) experiences profound sorrow when his sister Catherine Dior (Maisie Williams) is captured and sent to a concentration camp.
Unfortunately, despite Christian's best efforts, he remains unable to rescue his sister from the clutches of the Germans.
In reality, Catherine Dior was arrested for her involvement in resistance against the Germans. It is intriguing to discover that while the world honors Christian for his fashion accomplishments, only a few people are aware of his loving sister Catherine's fortitude.
Catherine Dior was captured and tortured by the Gestapo
Catherine, motivated by a sense of justice, joined the French Resistance in 1941. She played an active role in a British-funded resistance intelligence operation, and aggressively sent critical information to London.
Even though every move involved a high level of danger, Catherine remained fearless. She was eventually captured and tortured by the Gestapo on July 6, 1944, alongside 26 other members of the resistance.
Despite the excruciating torture, Catherine refused to reveal anything about her fellow members. Meanwhile, her brother Christian made a valiant attempt to leverage her Nazi affiliation in a bid for her freedom, but he was unsuccessful in persuading the Germans.
When was Catherine Dior freed from Ravensbrück?
Catherine was moved to the military prison of Ravensbrück, a concentration camp, where she endured forced labor and psychological torment.
Shortly after the US army seized control of the Leipzig-Markkleeberg aircraft facility in April 1945, Catherine was liberated from the horrific captivity imposed by the Germans.
Catherine Dior's was bestowed with medals for her bravery
The young member of the resistance eventually gained freedom and saw her older brother, Christian, who was distraught after witnessing the harrowing condition of his beloved sister.
After the war, Catherine received numerous medals for her valor, including the Combatant Volunteer Cross of the Resistance and the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom, among others.
The braveheart is fondly remembered for her unshakable courage and unwavering dedication to the French Resistance.
'The New Look' is now streaming on Netflix.
