War of the Buttons (La nouvelle guerre des boutons)
Directed by: Christophe BarratierCast list: Guillaume Canet, Laetitia Casta, Gérard Jugnot, Kad Merad, Jean Texier, François Morel, Marie Bunel, Thomas Goldberg
Country: France
Year: 2011
Genres: Adventure /
Runtime: 100 min.
Language of the film version shown in the current academic year: Original French version subtitled in Catalan
The film is based on the novel by Louis Pergaud. In occupied France, rebellious pre-teen LeBrac and his fellow ruffians from Longeverne start a playful, rather harmless conflict with kids in Velran, the neighboring town. Although the clashes between the two gangs provide early comic relief, they are eventually overshadowed by the larger events of the Second World War, which include the plight of Violette, a Jewish girl, in hiding who soon becomes LeBrac's love interest, as well as that of a local schoolteacher forced to comply with Vichy policemen. His feelings for Violette, in danger of being discovered by the Nazis, encourage Lebrac to face the reality of what's happening around him.
Educational Grades: ##COMA####COMA####COMA##Upper Primary school##COMA##Secondary school, 12 to 14##COMA##Secondary school, 14 to 16##COMA##Sixth form college##COMA##Further education##COMA####COMA####COMA##
Subjects: Social Science, Geography and History / Citizenship (Secondary School) / Citizenship (Sixth Form College) / French / History /
Topics: education in human values / culture of peace, violence, political and armed conflicts. / children, children’s rights / educational world, coeducation, teacher-student relationships / film adaptation of literary or graphic work / politics, political systems /
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Links
The War Of The Buttons. The online complete book (text in French)The French schools a hundred years ago (text in French)
Louis Pergaud, author of the book (text in French)
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Answers. Online resources
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