Who'd have thought university would be so time-consuming!
Who'd have thought university would be so time-consuming!
Member since:19.06.2005
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Au Revoir, Les Enfants (which I'll leave you to translate for yourselves) is a French film (no surprises there) which won a whole host of awards in 1987, such as the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, a Bafta for Best Director and 7 César Awards (France's Baftas), as well as being nominated for 2 Oscars. However, considering how critically acclaimed this was, it's practically unheard of and difficult to find. It's the debut film by director Louis Malle, and it's based on his own childhood experiences.
The story revolves around a boy named Julien Quentin, who goes to a Catholic boarding school during World War II. When a new boy, Jean Bonnet, arrives, the pair get on well and form a friendship. However, when Jean starts to act strangely, and Julien delves more about Jean's past, he discovers a secret that could tear them apart. Jean is Jewish and really named Jean Kippenstein, and he is being hidden from the German Gestapo by the school's headmaster. Julien would not knowingly betray his friend, but as the Germans and their search get closer and closer, how long will
he be able to keep quiet?
I can understand why this wouldn't appeal to many people (it's in French, and people seem to be allergic to subtitles these days), but I now see why it has been garlanded with such high critical acclaim, even being called one of the best French films of the last 10 years. The main plot is fairly simple, as is the small cast of characters, and the film just tells the story of their school days and their relationship. Yet the young actors playing the two boys are so absolutely realistic and charming that you become thoroughly absorbed in their developments through the year. At first it's a bit hard to remember who's who, but after a while you feel as if you've known them for ages.
Given the sensitive issue of the Nazi persecution of the Jews, Au Revoir, Les Enfants was always going to be an emotional film, no matter what the outcome. However, the ending is quite possibly one of the saddest moments ever captured in a film, and all the more so because it is a true story. I won't tell you what happens, but the final scenes are so short and abruptly ended that it is really powerful. There are also sad parts throughout the film as we witness the propaganda-influenced prejudices of his classmates and how they treat Jean differently.
It's more than just a straightforward weepy though. The story is full of minor subplots and interesting relationships between Julien and his family, friends and teachers. Julien as well as Jean has his own secrets and personal difficulties, and it's a film that deals with the issue of betrayal, there many being examples of varying levels of seriousness. It's also a film with moments of humour, provided by the somewhat caricatured but still believable members of staff, such as the pushy nurse and the wheeler-dealer cook with the wonky leg. The cast, although unknown to me, are uniformly excellent.
The director also tries to keep the film simple. Rather than force feeding us clues about Jean so that we look back and say "oh yeah, I didn't notice that" (I always think that's a bit of an insult to your intelligence, plus it spoils it if you work it out early), the audience only really finds stuff out near the end, which makes it realistic, and makes it somewhat of a twist. The pace of the film isn't too rushed either, which allows us to feel like we know the characters, but neither is it too slow. And as the Germans get nearer, you can really feel the pressure building up on Julien to keep quiet.
This is a film which you really should make the effort to find, whether you are a fan of French cinema, you have a passing interest in the Holocaust, or if you just want an engaging film which will stimulate your brain and your heart. One of the best dramas I have seen in a while.
I had a look round on the internet and I couldn't find this film anywhere, and I would imagine it's hard to find on the high street as it's not that well known. I'm only reviewing the film, not the DVD, so I don't know about extras.
Directed by: Louis Malle
Starring: Gaspard Manesse (Julien Quentin) Raphael Fejto (Jean Bonnet) Francine Racette (Julien's mother) Stanislas Carré de Malberg (François Quentin) Philippe Morier-Genoud (Père Jean) François Berléand (Père Michel)
Running Time: 104 minutes Classification: PG (although it does contain some sexual references from the kids)
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The film's poster
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