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France · 1963
1h 27m
Director Jean-Luc Godard
Starring Michel Subor, Anna Karina, Henri-Jacques Huet, Paul Beauvais
Genre Drama, War
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During the Algerian war for independence from France, Bruno, a young French deserter stationed in Geneva, is ordered to kill an Algerian rebel to prove his loyalty. When he falls in love with a woman who helped the FLN (National Liberation Front of Algeria), things become complicated, as he will have to make a choice between love and his country.
Compared to "Breathless," Le Petit Soldat's images suggest a stronger sense of place, as characters seem inextricably linked to their environment. Overall, the film lacks the artifice of Hollywood cinema, which Godard admired but was looking to move past after catching flack from the French left wing.
Los Angeles Times by Betsy Sharkey
Beyond the timelessness of the story itself, the film is beautifully shot and though early in Godard’s career already showcased his ability to capture emotional intensity in the very way he frames the shots.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
Starting with Le Petit Soldat, Godard was forging his own individualistic art and becoming the most relevant director of our time.
Village Voice by Scott Foundas
It’s a classic espionage plot shot through with a typically heady mix of art and literary references: Klee and Velázquez, Bach and Haydn, Bernanos and Musil.
A vivid display of conflict between passion and art.
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