Wild Reeds (1994)

In a village in the Southwest of France, 1962. Maite and Francois are 18 years old. They are friends, not lovers. In Francois's classroom, there are Serge, whose brother has just married to... See full summary »

Director:

André Téchiné

Writers:

Olivier Massart, Gilles Taurand

Stars:

Élodie Bouchez, Gaël Morel, Stéphane Rideau

8 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Élodie Bouchez	...	Maïté Alvarez
Gaël Morel	...	François Forestier
Stéphane Rideau	...	Serge Bartolo
Frédéric Gorny	...	Henri Mariani
Michèle Moretti	...	Madame Alvarez
Jacques Nolot	...	Monsieur Morelli
Eric Kreikenmayer	...	Pierre Bartolo, the Groom
Nathalie Vignes	...	Irène, the Bride
Michel Ruhl	...	Monsieur Cassagne
Fatia Maite	...	Aicha Morelli
Claudine Taulère	...	Nurse
Elodie Soulinhac	...	Colette, Girl at Party
Dominique Bovard	...	Guard
Monsieur Simonet	...	Guard
Chief Officer Carre	...	Officer

Storyline

In a village in the Southwest of France, 1962. Maite and Francois are 18 years old. They are friends, not lovers. In Francois's classroom, there are Serge, whose brother has just married to try to escape from the war in Algeria, and Henri, a pied-noir (Algerian-born Frenchman). Francois and Serge will have a homosexual relationship, but Serge wants to marry his brother's wife...

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Plot Keywords:

homosexual | french colonialism | mutual masturbation | gay | male objectification | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

10 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wild Reeds

Filming Locations:

Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, France

Box Office

Gross USA:

$917,915

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ima Films, Les Films Alain Sarde, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are many references in the movie to "The O.A.S.," in conversation, and overheard on radio and television newscasts. OAS - or Organisation armée secrète, literally "Organization of the Secret Army" or "Secret Armed Organization," was a French nationalist terrorist organization during the Algerian War (1954-62), which ended in independence for Algeria in July 1962, which was not only the time setting for this movie, but the Algerian War was also the background conflict that propelled much of the plot of this film. Using armed struggle in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence, OAS's motto was "Algeria is French and will remain so" (L'Algérie est française et le restera).

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Goofs

One of the songs featured at the party which Maïté and François go to after the movie is "Barbara Ann" by The Beach Boys, which was recorded and released in the fall of 1965, a full three years after the 1962 time setting for this movie.

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Quotes

François Forestier: You think you're smart. You're just a tacky Tarzan.

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Alternate Versions

Shorter TV version released under the title Tous les garçons et les filles de leur âge: Le chêne et le roseau (1994) (TV)

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Connections

Version of Tous les garçons et les filles de leur âge...: Le chêne et le roseau (1994)

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Soundtracks

Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring)
by Johann Strauss

User Reviews

Down-to-earth, genuine and beautiful

This is a genuine and convincing portrayal of how teenagers from different backgrounds facing different problems find their true selves, and how they shape and transform their philosophies of life through the mutually interwoven processes of love, hate, learning, accepting and enlightening.

This is a story on how purity and love will transcend across very different people and help them become awake to what they are and what they long for when facing the real world. A beautiful masterpiece that would move you without doing something "big". The 4 lead characters delivered convincing and promising performances, each making them very likable people without glorifying, stereotyping or idolising any ideology.

All in all, a highly recommended beautiful, genuine and poetic gem.