La Maternelle

This is the second version of Léon Frapié's Prix Goncourt winning novel and is indisputably the best. It is difficult to ascertain whether Marie Epstein is assistant here to Jean-Benoit-Levy or co-director but the 'Impressionist' style employed clearly shows the influence of her brother, the brilliant Jean Epstein, with whom she collaborated during the 1920's.

What is remarkable about this film is the overwhelming sense of 'being there', the apparent lack of structure that gives it an immediacy and the fluid camerawork of Georges Asselin that gives the impression of perpetual movement.

The characters are played with astonishing naturalness by all, notably Alice Tissot, Mady Berry and Alex Bernard. What can one possibly say of Madeleine Renaud? First and foremost a stage actress her forays into film were rare but select. Her understated, humane, heartfelt performance here as Rose is simply breathtaking.

The temptation to make the children 'cute' has been resisted and they are instead portrayed as little adults. Special mention must be made of Paulette Élembert as Marie whose exceptional performance puts her in the elevated company of those child actors who have touched our hearts.

This miraculous piece, as well as being a powerful social commentary of the time, is also a plea for compassion over repression in the education of children.

"Hold children in reverence." So said Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the makers of this film were evidently of the same opinion.