Antoine Series: Film 1 - The 400 Blows (Les Quart Cents Coups)

Director: Francois Truffaut, 1959

A proponent of one of the most influential film movements in history, the French New Wave, 'The 400 blows', or as it is known in its french connotation, 'Les Quart Cents Coups', is the debut directorial of the French Auteur, Francois Truffaut. Released in 1959, it tells the journey of Antoine Doinel, a teenager who faces issues with his parents and his school, which in turn shapes his rebellious personality. According to Truffaut, the film is a commentary on the harsh treatment conditions which juvenile offenders faced during that period of time. It is the first part in a five-part series where Jean-Pierre Leaud plays the iconic character of Antoine Doinel.

'The 400 blows' starts of with Antoine, with his classmates, studying. he gets caught in a prank played by his classmates and is told to stand behind the blackboard, where he writes derogatory things on the classroom wall. His teacher often scolds him and punishes his for his rebellious behavior, which every teenager of his age has.

He lives with his eccentric mother, Gilberte, who is in a relationship with Julien, his stepfather (though Antoine is not aware of it). In his own words, he is tired of being told what to do and how to behave, and wants to quit school. His rebellious personality often leads to him getting into trouble. For instance, he and his best friend, Rene, ditch school to roam the city of Paris, which leads him to stumbling upon his mother with another man. The next day, when he is questioned about his whereabouts the previous day, he tells the teacher that his mother died so he could not come. But all hell breaks loose when one of Antoine's classmates asks his mother and father about his wellness, as he had not come the previous day, leading to Antoine getting a beating.

This forces Antoine to run away from his house constantly, sometimes staying with Rene and sometimes returning back home, facing some difficulties on the way. During one instance, he steals a bottle of milk from a milkman as he has not had anything to eat or drink, and sleeps at Rene's father's printing factory.

The final nail in the coffin is struck when Antoine is caught copying Balzac for his homework, as well as returning a stolen typewriter from his stepfather's office, leading to him being sent to jail for a night, among thieves and prostitutes. He is later shifted to an observational center for troubled youths, where he is questioned over his actions and unhappiness (framed beautifully by Truffaut). Antoine finally escapes the center when he is playing a football game, and runs to the sea shore, which he always wanted to see. The closing shot of the film freezes on Antoine, as he looks into the camera.

Through the film, Truffaut reflects his own life as a teenager growing up in France, and is a deep character study into the life of a teenager who is unhappy with his family and school. Truffaut uses a number of elements which encapsulates the films of the French New Wave, such as use of the theme of existentialism, long tracking shots, as seen when Antoine is running towards the seashore, characters looking into the camera, use of innovative editing techniques such as freeze frame.

Truffaut also attempts to make a social commentary on the economic situation of families as well as the injustice which juvenile offenders faced during that time in France. For instance, Antoine lives in a house which is somewhat in shambles, his clothes torn in places. He even resorts to stealing his own stepfather's typewriter, in order to pawn it and get some money for himself, which fails miserably. In another instance, Antoine and his acquaintances in the center run into a dining hall, to eat, but Antoine takes a small portion of the bread and eats it, before the supervisor has given the permission to do so, for which Antoine is slapped.

Antoine's angst and unhappiness is shown beautifully through the composition of shots, as seen during the famous fragmented series of monologues, where Antoine is questioned about his unhappiness and angst by a psychologist, where he alone is framed, so that the viewer's attention is towards only what he is saying. The film is known for its iconic last shot, where Antoine runs into the sea, finally free of all burdens, finally happy after a long time. Antoine comes closer to the camera, looking into it, where there is a freeze frame on Antoine's face, the camera optically zooming into his face, encapsulating this beautiful moment in Antoine's life, freezing the moment; time, forever.

'The 400 Blows' was a significant film in the French New Wave, inspiring many filmmakers and auteurs to experiment with innovative film techniques, and tell stories on the themes of love, existentialism, family and life. Truffaut continued Antoine's story in 4 more films post 'The 400 Blows', each dealing with a significant part of Antoine's life, as well as adding on to the French New Wave.

Source of Image: Criterion Collection