Au revoir les enfants (1987) France

Directed by Louis Malle

This is perhaps one of a handful of films that I saw in my youth that remained with me for a long time. Malle‘s very personal Au revoir les enfants has only matured and deepened it’s effects on me with each subsequent viewing.

As the title suggests, this film signals a farewell to childhood. But in unfolding the story, Malle successfully celebrates the humanity of innocence and boyhood: the petty scraps (knocking someone over on stilts), breaking of rules (like smoking), trying to outcompete your friends on everything you do, friendships that were taken for granted, the love of the mother and what a family unit means to a child (I adored those scenes of Julien and his mother). Perhaps that is why the film is so heartbreaking.

The two main protagonists, Julien Quentin and Jean Bonnet, played by Gaspard Manesse and Raphael Fetjö, are captivating in their portrayal of school boys at a Catholic school for the bougeoisie. Both were non-actors and didn’t go on to have mainstream acting careers after this film. But their performances were incredibly real, funny and tender too. Keep an eye out for a young Irene Jacob.

Malle‘s eulogy is a lament for the world at the cusp of WWII; and may well serve as a reminder for our current epoch – the loss of innocence, broken fraternity codes, might over right, a contempt or disregard of human rights.

From J and N’s private collection. #filmfestivaleveryday #filmoftheday #stayhome