Francois Truffaut's "The 400 Blows": Purpose And Self-Reflexive Aspects

Abstract: 10 pages in length. Parisian schoolboy Antoine Doinel cannot figure out why he exists in this life; neither his mother nor father care about him as parents should, his academic lessons leave him empty as though he were in school for no other reason than to be sent away from home and although he is not a bad child, he has been placed within a situation that serves to unjustly chastise him. Francois Truffaut's 1959 production of The 400 Blows seeks to illustrate the manner by which life can be a double-edged sword. Utilizing Antoine as his focal point, Truffaut carefully orchestrates the film to represent the wants and desires of those who are otherwise chained to an oppressive existence. More specifically, the director was seeking to demonstrate just how difficult adolescence is for a young man whose sights are set on bigger and better things. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

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Catagory: Film & Television

Subcatagory: Music, Film, Television, Theater & Photography

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