Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987)
Document Type
Miscellaneous
Publication Date
5-2017
Abstract
Au Revoir Les Enfants (or Goodbye Children), directed by Louis Malle, is a film about two boys in France during World War II. The boys are students at a Catholic school during the war. One boy, Bonnet, is actually a Jew that the priest is hiding at the school. As the main character, Quentin, discovers the truth about Bonnet, the two boys become friends, despite the chaos around them.
This film didn't sell many tickets in American theaters, and Malle's message about overcoming prejudice failed to spark conversation. The film did receive critical acclaim for its cinematography and autobiographical content ("Au Revoir ... Awards"). However, it's likely that these qualities were praised, rather than the film's message, because of the lack of originality in story format and Malle's approach to presenting his message.
Malle's film, while beautifully done, falls into a frequent film pattern by making the film about children's perspective in World War II, and by filling in the European film equation of "the Jew hunters" and "the fleeing Jews." The film uses elements of cinematography to capture a message of overcoming prejudice, and while these elements were praised by critics, the common story format and historical setting seemed to create a disconnect between the message and the elements used to present it. This adds Au Revoir Les Enfants to a plethora of films that are failing to present this message in a way that stands out to audiences, prompting them to seek out films that are taking a more unique approach.
Recommended Citation
Harker, Natalie, "Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987)" (2017). ENGL 4360—Studies in Film. Paper 16.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/english_4360/16