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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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Adagio for Strings
by Samuel Barber

User Reviews

A complex and graceful drama - among the finest French dramas of the 90s

On all fronts WILD REEDS is a top-notch drama - offering a look into the lives of 4 teenagers at a boarding school in rural France in the early 60s, this film is complex and immaculately well-made. Unusual in films depicting adolescence, WILD REEDS is complex and sophisticated, respectful of its' characters' varying sexualities (and their struggles to accept same), while also offering other glimpses of their intelligence and growing independence: views on the Algerian war, which was then raging, and on communism (with one character defined as communist, and another as an ardent anti-communist). The lush cinematography is summery and beautiful throughout, and the cast (most whom have gone on to other notable films) is great throughout.

Techine's direction gives the many strands of this story a great, personal feel - the shoe store scene stands out as an honest depiction of an individual recognizing and trying to accept his sexuality, and attempting to identify other gay people, as a way of lessening isolation, and in an attempt at spontaneously finding some sort of role model. Very thoughtful and very well-made.