Forever Truffaut : three iconic films from HKFFF retrospective

Francois Truffaut grew up in Paris during the German occupation, spending his time in cinemas and theatres. He would return home on the last metro when a curfew was enforced. In this inspired context of cultural dissidence, his film Le dernier métro tells the story of a theatre in Montmartre: 

In 1942, amidst the Nazi occupation of France, this film portrays the resilience of a small theatre in Paris. Despite censorship, antisemitism, and material shortages, the theatre defiantly practices passive resistance. Additionally, due to the curfew, people had to catch the last Métro train home, resulting in limited time for enjoying evenings at theatres.

The actress married to the Jewish theatre owner must keep him hidden from the Germans while doing both of their jobs. Whether you're a longtime fan of Truffaut or discovering his work for the first time, "The Last Metro" is a cinematic gem that captivates the heart and mind.

Le dernier métro won an all-time record ten statuettes at the 1981 César awards ceremony.

Explore the tribulations of young children with impressive courage and resilience for their young age. Truffaut continues his project initiated in The 400 Blows, examining the different facets of childhood in the face of schooling and conflict: moving and comic :

Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme. The end of the school year is upon children. Everyday events intertwine their lives with those of their teachers, Mademoiselle Petit and Monsieur Rochet. In class, Bruno, a strong head, refuses to read aloud with the required intonation. Patrick, in love with the mother of a classmate, strikes up a friendship with Julien, a lonely child. They begin going to the movies together, and especially to meet girls…

With Truffaut's signature blend of humor and emotional depth, Bed and Board captures the bittersweet reality of love—full of passion, misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments :

Antoine marries Christine. She gives violin lessons and he takes on uninteresting jobs, working for a hydraulics company and dying flowers while fitfully working on his long-gestating novel. Shortly after the birth of their first child, the couple's good relationship is marred by Antoine's affair with a young Japanese beauty and Christine leaves Antoine. He then attempts to win her back once he's tired of his less-than-talkative Japanese wife…