Au Revoir, Les Enfants (1987)

Louis Malle wrote and directed this touching coming-of-age film that recounts his childhood in a French boarding school during World War II. Nominated for two Oscars (Best Foreign Film, Best Original Screenplay), "Au Revoir, Les Enfants" ("Goodbye, Children") is told through the eyes of Julien (Gaspard Manesse), an innocent youth whose simplistic childhood slowly dissolves into a rude awakening as he discovers the harsh realities of Nazi-occupied France. The talent of Malle's direction particularly shines through the expressions of the characters, rather than their words. The cinematography and editing are noteworthy as well. This is a great film.

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