This film relates to many concepts that have been taught in French Film 138. Initially looking at the genre of this film, because it has traces of Art House and International, it relates back to neo-realism and the movies we have seen from that genre. L’enfant encapsulates all of the key aspects of this movement but in a different era. The story of a lower-class couple living in the streets and barely making it on Sonia’s welfare checks, is very similar to the stories told in 40’s during the neo-realism movement. This story was also shot in the streets of Belgium, on-location, in a working-class neighborhood. All key parts of being a neo-realism film. The story told in L’enfant, was one of despair and hardship, trying to navigate the streets and society when one is dealt a crappy hand.
Also it is easy to relate this films style back to some of the directors we watched in this class. For instance, The 400 blows, has a very similar shooting style and plot line. The camera work is done with a handheld and follows a young boy through the streets of Paris. In L’enfant everything is the same except the boy is a little bit older and lives in Belgium. Both of the characters get into a lot of mischief and don’t fully understand the repercussions to their wrong-doings. Also both of these characters come from lower-income families/neighborhoods. The 400 Blows is a film that is following the main character to see what he will do next, how will he make up for what he last did? There are many similarities between these two plots and stylistic choices made by the directors.