An outer suburb of Paris, 1972. Gilles and Christine, both sixteen, are classmates and lovers who have become frustrated with the aloofness of their families and the general monotony of their lives. When the pair are caught shoplifting, Christine's father ships her off to a home for emotionally disturbed children, temporarily putting space between her and Gilles. Luckily for them, though, she escapes and the couple contemplate running away together.
Direction
Assayas captures teenage aimlessness with documentary-like intimacy.
Sound
The party sequence built entirely around Nico's 'Janitor of Lunacy.'
Cinematography
Eric Gautier's grainy 16mm makes 1972 feel achingly present.
Director
Olivier Assayas
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Assayas made this for French TV with a shoestring budget; the 'big' party scene had about 30 extras and one camera.
The title references the Leonard Cohen song playing during Christine's escape — Assayas originally wanted the rights but couldn't afford them.
FR
