Forbidden Games (1995)

Forbidden Games Poster

Michael is a private investigator with special psychic powers allowing him to subconsciously see clues in a case. He is hired to investigate the death of the very wealthy Charles who has a very healthy sum of money going to his wife and daughter. Michael needs to unravel the clues to see if Charles died accidentally or was murdered. There are several characters who may benefit from his death as well as a mistress and a nude modelling agency.

Introduction
"Forbidden Games" (Jeux Interdits) is a poignant and delicate 1952 French war-drama movie directed by René Clément, based upon François Boyer's book of the exact same name. Over 6 decades later, it stays one of France's most iconic films. Launched nearly a years after completion of WWII, "Forbidden Games" does not focus on elements of fight, tactics, or politics. Instead, it dives into the tiny view of war's consequences -injury, loss, and survival, through the lives of two children.

Plot Overview
Set throughout the upheaval of World War II, the movie follows the story of a young Parisian woman called Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) who becomes orphaned when her moms and dads and family pet dog are killed in an outright, awful bombing by the Germans. Lost and alone, she stumbles upon an 11-year-old peasant young boy, Michel Dolle (Georges Poujouly), and this forms the structure of an uniquely innocent yet grim story.

Friendship Amidst Grief
Michel brings Paulette to his parents' home where she is sheltered. The two children establish a deep friendship and attempt to manage their sorrow in a special method. Swallowed up by the effect of death around them, the children start a private cemetery for all animals they find dead, starting with Paulette's family pet dog. This naive undertaking becomes a kind of processing the ruthless reality they face; a bizarre reflection of the carnage with which the war has blanketed their world.

Exploration of Innocence Against Tragic Backdrop
"Forbidden Games" masterfully checks out the principles of innocence, loss, and survival during wartime. It poignantly captures the resilience of the young in the face of extensive tragedy. Despite the grim backdrop, the film magnificently juxtaposes bleak truth with the guileless world of children, who produce their own routines to reconcile with ruthless impressions of mortality.

Dispute and Resolution
The moms and dads of Michel eventually find the secret animal graveyard, leading to stress within the family. On the other hand, Paulette is discovered by the Red Cross who wish to place her in an orphanage for war kids. Michel and Paulette try to hide, however she is eventually taken away resulting in an emotive climax. In spite of an offer from a wealthy household to embrace her, Paulette leaves and is lost again in the middle of the crowd of refugees, symbolizing the extreme truths many children faced throughout this time.

Critical Acclaim
Upon its release, "Forbidden Games" amassed a wave of both public and crucial honor. It was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and won an Honorary Award at the 1952 Academy Awards. This was subsequently acknowledged as the Best Foreign Language Film in 1953.

Conclusion
"Forbidden Games" is an exceptionally moving movie, showcasing the awful consequences of war through the emotional journey of two innocent children. It is an evaluation of the human capability to manage injury, and a representation of the strength of the human spirit in the face of abject despair. Regardless of being set in the background of a harsh war, it uses a touching exploration of innocence, relationship, and loss.

Top Cast

  • Jeff Griggs (small)
    Jeff Griggs
    Michael Brandon
  • Lesli Kay (small)
    Lesli Kay
    Shannon Douglas
  • Gail Harris (small)
    Gail Harris
    Tonya Douglas
  • Amy Weber (small)
    Amy Weber
    Shauna
  • Elizabeth Sandifer
    Rachel
  • Ashlie Rhey (small)
    Ashlie Rhey
    Trish
  • Jefferson Wagner
    Charles Douglas
  • Aleksandra Kaniak (small)
    Aleksandra Kaniak
    Amber
  • Becky Mullen (small)
    Becky Mullen
    Linda
  • Liat Goodson
    Beth
  • Edward Holzman
    Deputy D.A. Ron Taylor