400 Blows

400 Blows another film directed by François Truffaut took place in 1959. The film is said to be a biographical depiction of Truffaut’s childhood. When casting for the film, Truffaut immediately picked a thirteen-year-old boy by the name of Jean-Pierre Leaud. He being Jean-Pierre Leaud was the perfect representation of Truffaut as a kid. In the movie, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud) is shown often misbehaving in school, at home, and with friends. The troublemaker is frequently in out of jail. Antoine is sent to a juvenile delinquent facility and later runs away. The movie ends with a scene of Antoine standing on the beach alone.

Truffaut included various themes in 400 Blows. They include the Freudian perspective and unhappiness among adolescences. The Freudian theme is evident between Antoine and his mother’s relationship. Some critics say an “Oedipal obsession” occurs and say Antoine’s poor actions are a result of the mother’s reluctance to discipline him.

400 Blows along with many other of his films set the stage for the French New Wave. Truffaut’s unique approach to the cinema world changed French movies forever.