Forbıdden Games (Jeux interdits)
a 1952 French film directed by René Clément, is an impressive work that depicts the tragedy of World War II through the themes of innocence and death. The film poetically explores the devastating effects of war on children, and offers a profound interrogation of the human condition.
Forbıdden games Analysis
1. Innocence and the Absurdity of War
– 5-year-old Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) and 11-year-old Michel (Georges Poujouly) are two children confronted with the brutal reality of war. The story begins when Paulette’s family is killed in an air raid and shows the children’s attempts to make sense of death.
– The children play a kind of “game” by building graves for dead animals and people. This ritual is an innocent rebellion against the senselessness of war.
2. The Infiltration of Death into Everyday Life
– In the movie, death is a tragedy for adults and a curiosity for children. As Michel and Paulette turn burying the dead into a game, they display an unconscious rebellion against the religious and social rules of adults.
– Children stealing crosses and building cemeteries make them question the meaning of religious symbols.
3. The Contradiction between Nature and Humanity
– Idyllic scenes in a rural French village contrast with the brutality of war. The serenity of nature is in sharp contrast to the chaos created by humans.
– Michel’s family being farmers emphasizes the cycle of life and death.
4. Hypocrisy of the Adult World
– While adults seem to accept the devastation of war, they are disturbed by children playing with death. This reflects society’s hypocritical relationship with death.
– At the end of the movie, Paulette’s cry of “Michel!” is a symbol of the loss of innocence.
Visual and Symbolic Elements
– Crosses and Graves: Small graves made by children personalize the casualties of war.
– Bodies of Dogs and Sheep: Shows the banalization of death.
– River Scenes: It is used as a metaphor for cleanliness and purification.
Conclusion
Forbidden Games is a poetic and sad masterpiece that depicts the senselessness of war through the eyes of a child. The film conveys the loss of innocence and the destructiveness of humanity in an unforgettable language.
Clément’s film is one of the most moving anti-war works in the history of cinema.