Au revoir les enfants: Analyzing a Great Film

• French
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Au revoir les enfants: Analyzing a Great Film

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to analyze the movie Au revoir les enfants and discuss its significance.

Introduce the learning objective and emphasize the importance of analyzing the movie.

C'est un bon film? Justifiez votre réponse

Background Information

Au revoir les enfants is a French film directed by Louis Malle. It was released in 1987 and is based on Malle's own experiences during World War II.

Provide basic information about the movie and its background.

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Plot Summary

The movie is set in a Catholic boarding school in Nazi-occupied France. It follows the story of two boys, one Jewish and one Catholic, who become friends. The movie explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the horrors of war.

Summarize the plot of the movie and highlight its themes.

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Cinematography

The movie was praised for its cinematography, particularly its use of light and shadow. The director used these techniques to create a sense of tension and unease throughout the movie.

Discuss the movie's cinematography and how it contributes to the overall mood of the film.

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Critical Acclaim

Au revoir les enfants was a critical success and won several awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It is considered one of the greatest French films of all time.

Highlight the critical acclaim the movie has received and its significance in French cinema.

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Discussion Questions 1

Quels sont les thèmes les plus importants? Pourquoi?

Encourage students to discuss their thoughts on the movie's themes and cinematography.

Symbolism

The movie makes use of several symbols, including the school's chapel and the boys' friendship bracelet. These symbols represent the themes of faith and friendship.

Discuss the symbolism in the movie and how it contributes to the themes.

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Historical Context

The movie is set during World War II, a time of great conflict and tragedy. It provides insight into the experiences of people living in Nazi-occupied France.

Provide historical context for the movie and its significance in understanding the experiences of people during World War II.

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Discussion Questions 2

Qu'est-ce qu'on apprend au sujet des experiences des gens pendant la guerre?

Encourage students to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the historical context of the movie.

Impact of the Movie

Au revoir les enfants has had a lasting impact on French cinema and is considered a classic. It has also been used in schools as a teaching tool to educate students about the experiences of people during World War II.

Discuss the impact of the movie on French cinema and its use as a teaching tool.

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Discussion Questions 3

De quelle facon peut-on exploiter des films comme 'Au revoir les enfants' comme un outil educatif? 

Encourage students to discuss the broader impact of the movie and its use in education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Au revoir les enfants is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the horrors of war. It is a classic of French cinema and has had a lasting impact on audiences and society.

Wrap up the lesson by summarizing the key points and emphasizing the importance of analyzing movies like Au revoir les enfants.

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Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.