Monday, February 9, 2009

Forbidden Games, 1952


I love finding obscure little foreign films, and this one is an absolute
jewel! Actually, it's not really that obscure, but it was totally new to
me. The title Jeux Interdits in French might be appropriate, but in
English, Forbidden Games is a bit misleading. The plot has nothing
to do with sex or any forbidden activity, but is about a young girl,
orphaned by a Nazi air attack as her family flees Paris. She is taken
in by a provincial family who loses a family member, after he is
kicked by a horse in the same air attack. The children steal crosses
from the local cemetery, in order to cope with death, by building a
secret graveyard, where they bury her dog and other animals. The
acting on the part of the children is absolutely superb. The film is
also notable for its vibrant musical score, composed and performed
by legendary Spanish classical guitarist Narciso Yepes. It has been
beautifully restored and is available as part of the luminous Criterion
Collection. This delicate, intensely poignant and delightful film is a
must see. Do yourself a favor and add it to your Netflix queue!



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This video clip without subtitles is the only one I could find. The
Criterion Collection copy has optional subtitles, of course.

36 comments:

  1. Hey, Thanks for that! Hope NF has it ; )

    I finally purchased my own copy of Cocteaus Beauty And The Beast. I've loved that film and it's images ever since I saw it as a little kid on PBS in SF ; )

    Cheers!

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  2. Yes that's a clasic.
    It's been a while they haven't put it on tv in France.The music is also beautiful.

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  3. Never seen this one, Willow. I may be able to find out more about it, though. Two others I liked( and have ) are, Verboten!-with James Best; also Tiger Bay(especially the ending). One of these days I'll have to pub my vast movie list. I will look for this one, as well.

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  4. It looks unusual and interesting Willow. Trust you to find another classic from the past!

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  5. A wonderful classic I haven't seen in decades, I'll need to check it out again!

    Last night I watched Jean Renoir's The River (1951) for the very first time. I can highly recommend it!

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  6. Criterion has a great collection of films. Black Narcissus is another one that is surprising.

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  7. Thanks! This sounds like a good film for a lazy winter evening.

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  8. It's one of those word of mouth films that seems to be on at art-house cinemas now and then in France. We've not seen it but it sounds the sort of film that we do enjoy. The thing is that when it is shown here it is without English subtitles - sometimes we can cope with that but this sounds the sort of film one would need to follow carefully.

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  9. I love these kind of films...I'll add it in Netflix.

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  10. Wow! That scene is so primal. I'm definitely going to check this one out! Thank you.

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  11. Love foreign films...must check this one out, sounds really interesting.

    s

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  12. This sounds a real jewel.
    Yes, must see it.

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  13. An interesting movie, will have to see it sometime. I know my hubby will enjoy watching it.

    Anyway I have finished with my letter "b", please feel free to check out what I have done. I hope it is up to everyones standards and I did try to make it my own. So thank you for the challenge. Will love anymore to try and take on. Joined Theme Thursday and will see how I partake.

    God Bless and keep warm.

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  14. Oh yes! This one is a winner! Thanks for the reminder - I will be renting it again SOON!

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  15. I wish that I had access to it right now! (I too have a dryer humming . . . and clothes that I need to iron. Movie time.)

    I am still in the WWII mood from reading Elizabeth's book.

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  16. Obscure alright! :)

    check out my currently Mmm..status bar.

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  17. The music is beautiful! The spearing of the roach was a little unsettling, though! ha! The cemetary was quite sweet at the end of the clip with all their little name tags! Makes me want to put headstones on our family pet cemetary under the pines.

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  18. I saw this film many years ago. The guitar solo captivated me. I have a splendid version by Leona Boyd. I tried to learn how to play it in my guitar but it was extremely difficult. Julio Iglesias has a sung version of this melody. It was recorded in the early 70's I think it's called Romance. The film is so well crafted.

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  19. Just to say thank you for the letter V you gave me - really enjoyed doing it.

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  20. Ooooh--that's not one I'm familiar with and that I'd like. Thanks for the heads up, Willow! Joe and I saw "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" ("I've loved you so long") this weekend, with Kristin Scott Thomas, and it is excellent...so well done. I'd been wanting to see it and am so glad we went. If you get a chance, see it! I'll have to add this movie "Forbidden Games" to our list--thanks!

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  21. Ms. Weaver of Grass, you're welcome! I look forward to your "v" post!

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  22. Looks wonderful. Have noted down the title.

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  23. Mrsupole, I just read your brilliant "b" post! Thank you very much for playing!

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  24. Sue, thanks for the recommendation. Must see Il y a longtemps que je t'aime. If you like it, I know I will, too. ;^)

    William, The River sounds like one I would like, too. I'm going to go check it out. Thank you!

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  25. I like the new header/blog look ...

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  26. What an intriguing sample video--does anyone know the who directed the piece?

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  27. Clay, it was directed by Rene Clement.

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  28. I really, really, really need to subscribe to Netflix right Willow?

    And my ode to C isn't done yet. It will take time to compose and NOT copy you!

    Denese

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  29. My word, what a tremendous little excerpt. Were you not in tears watching it?

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  30. I grew up watching B&W French movies but never saw this one. Thanks for the preview. Going by Netflix right now...:)

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  31. Thanks for sharing about this little gem! I'm going to Netflix to check it out...

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  32. I couldn't. Anything involving the burying of dogs is just too close to the bone. I do love French cinema though, I love the pace, and to have something to practice the lanquage on!

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  33. Wonderful recommendation, Willow. I'll be sure to look for it.

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  34. Apologies for forgetting to leave a thank you for the review, Willow!

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  35. Thank you for this. I urge everyone to watch this movie. Every time I see this, I'm a wreck for a week. The end is so devastating. It's just one of those movies that has that kind of effect on (some) people.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)