Après la guerre

We came across this DVD among my mother-in-laws effects as we were clearing out her house in Gironde, and I found myself wondering how come I had never heard of it in 14 years. A film this good should have been as famous as Amélie or Chocolat!

Why did I love it? Because everything in it rang true. The basic premise sounds a bit far fetched, but in the context of the plot as it unfolds, it makes perfect sense. The boys are neither precociously adept at survival, nor pathetically incapable, but the presence of an adult, no matter how unusual his circumstances, makes their continued flight possible. There is much wry humour in the interaction between the three main characters - so much, in fact, that it is tempting to view the film as a comedy and lose sight of the fact that there is a war on, and the adult character stands to lose his life if caught by either the German or French authorities.

Maybe serendipity is stretched a bit thin in places - Antoine's skill with a catapult (no, dear US readers, it's not a slingshot, that's a completely different weapon) is definitely over the top, and the fortuitous arrival of a pair of "Collabo" at just the right moment smacks of Deus ex Machina, but life is full of coincidences, and they don't all roll the way of our heroes in this particular gem.

The acting standard was exceptionally high, even for the bit players, which enhanced my suspension of disbelief. Still, I have to say that there are very few child actors who can cry convincingly on camera, and neither of the Hubert boys managed it. Everything else in their roles they pulled off with credible artistry, and Richard Bohringer was at all times utterly believable.

I always fear the ending of French films, with their penchant for leaving as many threads loose as possible, so the sudden unexpected plot twist in the last 90 seconds of this film caught me completely off guard. My first reaction was incomprehension, then I realized that there really was no other way the story could turn out. You'll have to see it for yourself to understand why.

The film takes place just as the second world war is ending in France, but before the armistice. It opens on a village in rural France where the inhabitants are preparing to welcome the victorious Americam troops. However news is sketchy in this confusing period of history and this is well captured in the film. Three boys of the village get into trouble with the local authorities and run away, they meet and befriend a deserting German soldier and an Alsation dogs tags along as well. The film focuses on the adventures that befall this group as they travel around the countryside.

This is not a Disney type tale of adventurous children, although the French countryside is beautifully filmed mostly in glorious sunshine the humour is black. Richard Bohringer is excellent as the German soldier portraying a man weary of the war and happy to travel along with his new found family. The group all have their own reasons for avoiding other people who may or may not be a threat to them, but the trust builds up between the boys and the soldier to the extent where one of the boys is happily carrying the German's rifle. The search for information and food takes priority as the relationships within the group develop. The film successfully portrays a difficult and confusing time in France. It feels realistic,theses events or those like them could easily have happened.

I mentioned that the humour is black and there is much that is amusing, but the lightness of touch at no time hides the possibility of a tragedy around the corner. This is a country at war and the film does not let us forget that. This film is well worth a look

I suspect I have not even one reason to give this film a 10. It should be 11. I'd love to tell the world this film exists, even when it's been buried for this Century and part of the last one.

There are many stories based on the Big Wars. Stories that look and feel pretty lousy, weak or simply a product of a feverish and not too well informed mind. Let alone "formed". I've seen hundreds of films dealing with both Wars and, in my (not so humble) opinion, French stories are still the best.

Here, we have a simple story. A very simple plot. A very simple idea with only three actors on scene, maybe four. The rest is just the power with which each of them play their part.

The intellectual feat of trying new and unforgettable hairpins in the road may make of this film one of the most remarkable, endurable and long-lasting views on the subject. "Un amour a taire" may be the other one. There may be a heap of them, but I'm not sure if anybody out there has reached this height of beauty and power.

Americans mostly feel awkward when faced with French cinema. But this film is a must-see for Americans... and Germans, and for people who still believe in the goodness of human hearts.

It's silly to recount the story here. But, just to be just, it IS remarkable. Unflinchingly remarkable.

I will just put out a couple of hints: one of the purest smiles you've ever seen on film and, not far from the first one, a mise on scène that will get deep down your skin.

A French-German effort that should have a special place in War films history. And for that matter, in period-film-making.