A 1959 French teen runaway drama that'll make your parents look like saints.
Martine is a young woman plagued both by poverty and by uncaring, problem parents who in no way can provide the kind of nurturing that Martine needs during her adolescent years. As a result of her family situation, Martine runs away from home and gets involved with a group of teens and young adults from the wrong side of the moral tracks.
Acting
Pascale Audret's wounded vulnerability carries every frame
Cinematography
Claustrophobic Parisian streets that breathe desperation
Production
Authentic 1959 dive bar atmosphere, no romanticizing
Director
Maurice Cloche
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released the same year as The 400 Blows, but buried by New Wave hype—Cloche's traditional style was suddenly 'old-fashioned' overnight.
Bernadette Lafont became a Nouvelle Vague icon; this was her breakthrough as the jaded Nicole.
FR
