``The 400 Blows.'' A new wave from France that fascinates the world, ``Nouvelle Vague.''

The wonders of Truffaut's technique

Truffaut's technique in this film is both traditional and new. Henri Decaet, who worked on Louis Malle's `` The Elevator of the Gallows '' (1958) and René Clément's ``Full of Purple Noon '' (1960), was in charge of cinematography for this film, and it is very impressive from the opening scene. .

In the opening scene, the camera is running toward the Eiffel Tower, and when it reaches just below the tower, Francois Truffaut's name is credited. Even though the camera is moving, it gives the impression that it is looking out over the city from the back seat of a car.

A similar scene appears at the end of the story. At night, there is a scene where Antoine sheds tears for the first time and is taken away in a car while looking at the city, but this time, rather than looking at the city from the car window, it seems like the lonely night city is staring at Antoine's tears. It's coming.

“The 400 Blows” (c) Photofest / Getty Images

Also, the most memorable scene with the camera is definitely the last scene. This shot uses a freeze frame (pause) to freeze Antoine's face, befitting the name "new wave." The expression on Antoine's face captured in the freeze frame is so impactful that it will remain in anyone's heart. Antoine has an adult expression, as if he has decided on something, or on the contrary, has given up. In the middle of the film, Antoine imitates Balzac and exclaims, ``Eureka!'' (I found it), which is completely different from the delighted expression on his face. It's as if she has realized that since The 400 Blows, she has no choice but to become an adult herself.

When I saw this movie when I was around Antoine's age, I felt like I was saved a lot. Even if you live a rather clumsy and circuitous life like Antoine, the day will come when you will become an adult. I'm not alone. When I watched Antoine again as an adult, I remembered that I felt that way and felt a little better about it.

2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of ``The 400 Blows''. Over the past 60 years, I feel that this work has made many young people feel at ease. In the room of Greg, the main character of `` Boku, Earl, and Girlfriend's Goodbye '' (2015), which depicts a high school boy who is a movie geek, there is a poster of this movie. This is especially true for young movie buffs like me and Greg. It is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to be so for the next 60 years.

Text: Anzureratto

Writes mainly for the magazine "Eiga Hiho" (Yosensha). His book ``Black Movie Guide'' (Small Publishing) is now on sale.

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images