The Children (1985)
Marguerite Duras's quietly subversive French comedy about a boy who refuses to learn what he doesn't already know.
The Children - Movie Information
- Original Title: Les Enfants
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Marguerite Duras
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 29, 1985 (France), October 1, 1985 (United States), September 14, 1985 (Canada)
- Alternative Titles: 칠드런 (KR)
- Production Countries: France
The Children - Plot
Ernesto, a seven-year-old boy who has the body of a thirty-year-old man, decides, upon attending his first day of school, that he no longer wishes to attend, because he does not wish to be taught matters that he does not know.
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The Children - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marguerite Duras
Main Cast
- Axel Bogousslavsky
- Daniel Gélin
- Tatiana Moukhine
- Martine Chevallier
- André Dussollier
- Pierre Arditi
Writers
- Jean Mascolo
- Jean-Marc Turine
- Marguerite Duras
The Children - FAQs
What is The Children about?
The Children follows Ernesto, a seven-year-old boy trapped in the body of a thirty-year-old man, who walks out of school on his very first day. His reason? He refuses to be taught things he doesn't already know. It's a playfully philosophical comedy that only Marguerite Duras could dream up.
Why does Ernesto refuse to go to school?
Ernesto's logic is disarmingly simple: he won't sit in a classroom to learn things he doesn't yet know. It's a paradox that drives the film's gentle absurdist humor, turning a child's stubborn refusal into a surprisingly rich meditation on knowledge, curiosity, and the nature of education itself.
Where can you watch The Children online?
You can find streaming and viewing options for The Children on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking for the most up-to-date options.
Who directed The Children (1985)?
The Children was directed by Marguerite Duras, the celebrated French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker. Known for her unconventional storytelling and poetic sensibility, Duras brought her distinctive literary voice to this quietly subversive comedy, one of her final works as a director.
Who are the main actors in The Children?
The cast features Axel Bogousslavsky as the peculiar Ernesto, alongside Daniel Gélin, Tatiana Moukhine, Martine Chevallier, André Dussollier, and Pierre Arditi. It's an ensemble that brings warmth and wit to Duras's offbeat vision.
Is The Children based on a true story or book?
The film draws from Marguerite Duras's own 1971 short story "Ah! Ernesto," which she later expanded into the 1984 novel La Pluie d'été (Summer Rain). The character of Ernesto originated in a children's book she wrote, making this a deeply personal adaptation of her own literary world.
How was The Children received by critics?
The Children was warmly received as a characteristically Durassian work — poetic, eccentric, and quietly provocative. Critics appreciated its philosophical undertones wrapped in a deceptively light comedic form. It's considered an intriguing late entry in Duras's filmmaking career, rewarding patient and curious viewers.
What films are similar to The Children (1985)?
If The Children appeals to you, consider exploring One Hundred and One Nights (1995) by Agnès Varda, Three Men and a Cradle (1985), or Bend It Like Beckham (2002). For more offbeat French cinema with a literary edge, The Triumph of Love (2001) and Jeune Femme (2017) are also worth a look.
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