Jean Vigo
While reconstruction of L’Atalante as a major feature has captured critical attention and debate, we also know that in 1933 even contemporary audiences, critics and politicians grasped the dangerous messages of Vigo’s mini-epic of school rebellion and took their scissors to it while keeping it from the public for more than a decade. Still, alternative versions reached other countries – including a different, early version in Italy – and pieces remain. Together with the rushes, outtakes and on location footage of Vigo during the shoot, Young Devils in School helps us to better understand Vigo’s original vision.
An adaptation of an unrealized script by Jean Vigo (Les lignes de la main), starring his late daughter, the critic, programmer, and actress Luce Vigo
Capricious small-town girl Juliette and barge captain Jean marry after a whirlwind courtship, and she comes to live aboard his boat, L'Atalante. As they make their way down the Seine, Jean grows weary of Juliette's flirtations with his all-male crew, and Juliette longs to escape the monotony of the boat and experience the excitement of a big city. When she steals away to Paris by herself, her husband begins to think their marriage was a mistake.
In a repressive boarding school with rigid rules of behavior, four boys decide to rebel against the director on a celebration day.
What starts off as a conventional travelogue turns into a satirical portrait of the town of Nice on the French Côte d'Azur, especially its wealthy inhabitants.