{"id":1211,"date":"2006-07-05T17:16:31","date_gmt":"2006-07-06T00:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2021-01-06T21:58:50","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T04:58:50","slug":"forbidden-games-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1211","title":{"rendered":"Forbidden Games (1952)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;What&#8217;s a cemetery?&#8221; <\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poster-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-26391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poster-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poster-91x128.jpg 91w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poster.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAfter witnessing the death of her parents and pet dog during an air raid in the French countryside, five-year-old Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) befriends a young boy named Michel (Georges Poujouly) and is taken to live on his family farm.  Paulette and Michel soon become obsessed with burying dead animals, and engage in the &#8220;forbidden game&#8221; of stealing crosses from the local church for their pet cemetery. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Childhood<\/li>\n<li>French Films<\/li>\n<li>Orphans<\/li>\n<li>Rene Clement Films<\/li>\n<li>World War Two<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:<\/strong><br \/>\nThis &#8220;anti-war classic&#8221; (based on a novel by Francois Boyer) earns my vote as one of the most devastating movies about childhood ever made. Its &#8220;horrifying, unforgettable opening scene&#8221; &#8212; in which five-year-old Paulette loses both her parents and her beloved pet dog within the space of a few heart-stopping minutes: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-1024x769.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-1024x769.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-Mom3.png 1371w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; is nearly beyond belief, as are the incredibly distressing, albeit realistic, final moments of the storyline (which, by the way, are &#8220;spoiled&#8221; in Peary&#8217;s review). Writer-director Rene Clement films <em>Forbidden Games<\/em> from a child&#8217;s perspective, and is primarily concerned with exploring how children cope with the chaos of wartime. While Peary expresses ambivalence about the meaning of the children&#8217;s obsession with burials (&#8220;I&#8217;ve never been able to figure out the significance of the children&#8217;s death-burial-prayer fascination&#8221;), to me the symbolism is crystal clear: in a world where unspeakable death surrounds them, children must find some way to regain a sense of personal agency. Peary also points out the disparity between the hypocritical &#8220;Christian&#8221; adults in this film &#8212; who are &#8220;habitually at odds with one another&#8221; &#8212; and the innocent simplicity of Paulette and Michel&#8217;s friendship. Rarely has a film so effectively portrayed the disparities between the fantasy-laden survival of children, and the brutish animosity of adults. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brigitte Fossey as Paulette<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-1024x774.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"484\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-1024x774.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-768x581.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey-357x270.png 357w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Fossey.png 1354w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>George Poujouly as Michel, Brigitte&#8217;s protective young &#8220;partner in crime&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-1024x765.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-1024x765.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-768x574.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Poujouly.png 1375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Much memorable imagery<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Still3.png 1369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-1024x776.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"485\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-1024x776.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-768x582.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography-356x270.png 356w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/07\/Forbidden-Games-Cinematography.png 1361w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nDefinitely, but be prepared for total emotional devastation. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Foreign Gem<\/li>\n<li>Genuine Classic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0043686\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1952\/12\/09\/archives\/the-screen-in-review-forbidden-games-the-winning-french-film-at.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/great-movie-forbidden-games-1952\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s a cemetery?&#8221; Synopsis: After witnessing the death of her parents and pet dog during an air raid in the French countryside, five-year-old Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) befriends a young boy named Michel (Georges Poujouly) and is taken to live on his family farm. Paulette and Michel soon become obsessed with burying dead animals, and engage in the &#8220;forbidden game&#8221; of stealing crosses from the local church for their pet cemetery. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Childhood French Films Orphans Rene&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1211\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1211"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62034,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions\/62034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}