L'Enfance Nue (1968)

An anguished foster child takes to mischief and lies as his foster parents do their best to love and care for him. But it might be too little, too late in this emotionally devastating portrayal of the orphaned child.

Director:

Maurice Pialat

Writers:

Arlette Langmann, Maurice Pialat

Stars:

Michel Terrazon, Linda Gutenberg, Raoul Billerey

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Michel Terrazon	...	François
Linda Gutenberg	...	Simone (as Linda Gutemberg)
Raoul Billerey	...	Roby
Pierrette Deplanque	...	Josette
Marie-Louise Thierry	...	Madame Minguet
René Thierry	...	Minguet
Henri Puff	...	Raoul
Marie Marc	...	Meme
Maurice Coussonneau	...	Letillon

Storyline

A ten-year-old boy feels unwanted when his mother places him in a home for wayward children. He goes to a foster home where a family of workers finds him to be too much for them. When the unruly child discovers the family plans to give up on him, he kills their daughter's cat in retaliation. He is sent to another home where he is cared for by an elderly couple. The boy takes to the wife's elderly mother, who reaches out to the disturbed boy. His deliberate disobedience lessens somewhat in his new environment, but he is arrested after throwing bolts at cars from a bridge. The boy tries to overcome his mother's rejection and struggles to boost his self-image in this childhood drama.

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Plot Keywords:

resiliency | prank | foundling | underage smoking | troublemaker | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

First theatrical film directed by Maurice Pialat. Before this film, Pialat had directed several short films and documentaries.

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Connections

Referenced in Lady Bird (2017)

User Reviews

Dated Docudrama

The ten year-old boy François (Michel Terrazon) is left by his parents for adoption. His foster families become unhappy with his evil behavior, practicing small thefts, killing pets and provoking car accident and reject him.

"L'enfance nue" is one of those well-made films that gives the sensation of a documentary to the viewer. In the late 60's, it was probably a realistic childhood docudrama to be discussed about orphaned children. Unfortunately the storyline is dated in 2017 and the troublemaker François is not as bad as he was in 1968. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Infância Nua" ("Naked Childhood")

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

22 January 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

Naked Childhood

Filming Locations:

Lens, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parafrance Films, Parc Film, Renn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1